The Lagos State Tenancy and Recovery of Premises Bill 2025 is gaining attention as lawmakers continue deliberations at the State House of Assembly.
Eko Hot News reports that the proposed law seeks to overhaul rental regulations and address longstanding disputes between landlords and tenants.
The Bill proposes reforms such as limiting advance rent, regulating estate agents, offering protection against arbitrary rent increases, and introducing faster, transparent eviction procedures.
Lagos, with its growing population and rising urban pressures, continues to battle housing challenges, including excessive rent demands, unregulated agents, and prolonged eviction cases.
The Bill targets estate agents who often exploit the market. It recommends stricter oversight and caps agent fees at 5 percent, instead of the existing 10 percent or arbitrary charges.
A key provision mandates all agents to register with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) and remit funds to landlords within seven working days.
Agents who violate these rules risk penalties of up to ₦1 million, two years imprisonment, or both. The goal is to curb fraud, double-renting, inflated commissions, and other abuses.
On rent advance, the Bill limits new tenants to a maximum of one year upfront, while sitting monthly tenants cannot be compelled to pay more than three months in advance.
Offering or accepting rent beyond these limits becomes an offence, attracting a ₦1 million fine or three months’ imprisonment.
The Bill also empowers tenants to challenge unfair rent increments in court. While it does not fix rent prices, it allows judicial assessment of whether increases are justified.
Landlords are barred from evicting tenants while such challenges are ongoing, protecting a market where hikes of 50–200 percent are common.
These provisions aim to rebalance the rental market and reduce tension between landlords and renters across the state.
