Tenants in Lagos State can now breathe a sigh of relief following the activation and enforcement of revised provisions in the Lagos State Tenancy Law aimed at safeguarding tenant rights and regulating landlord practices across the state.
Under the updated law, landlords are now restricted from demanding more than three months’ rent in advance from sitting tenants.
Similarly, tenants are not allowed to offer more than three months’ rent upfront. Both landlords and tenants who violate this provision risk facing a fine of up to ₦100,000 or imprisonment for up to three months.
The government has also made it mandatory for landlords to issue rent receipts to tenants upon payment.
These receipts must include details such as the payment date, names of both the landlord and tenant, the location of the property, amount paid, and the rental period covered. Non-compliance with this requirement could attract a fine of ₦10,000.
In addition, the Lagos State Government has reaffirmed that fees charged for tenancy agreements must not exceed 10 percent of the annual rent. Landlords or agents who demand charges above this threshold are deemed to be in violation of the law. For example, if the annual rent is ₦1,000,000, the combined legal and agreement fees must not surpass ₦100,000, regardless of how it is split.
The law also sets out notice periods for tenancy termination in the absence of a written agreement. Weekly tenants are entitled to one week’s notice, monthly tenants must be given one month’s notice, quarterly or half-yearly tenants should receive three months’ notice, while yearly tenants must be given six months’ notice. In cases where a monthly tenant owes rent for three months, the landlord may seek to recover possession through the courts.
The law underscores the rights of tenants, including the right to reasonable privacy, freedom from unreasonable disturbance, exclusive possession of the premises, and use of common areas for lawful purposes. Where tenants make improvements to a property with the written consent of the landlord, they may be entitled to compensation should the tenancy be terminated.
Furthermore, tenancy-related disputes are to be addressed in either the High Court or Magistrates’ Court, depending on the jurisdiction. The law firmly prohibits unlawful evictions, warning landlords against bypassing legal procedures. Any form of self-help eviction could result in legal sanctions.
To ensure compliance and address violations, the public is encouraged to report cases to the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA). The state government reiterated that total charges for legal and agreement fees combined must not exceed 10 percent of the annual rent—any demand beyond this is illegal under the current tenancy law.
With these provisions now fully in force, the Lagos State Government aims to create a more equitable and transparent rental environment for both tenants and landlords.
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