The new draft tenancy bill before the Lagos House of Assembly would make it illegal for landlords to evict tenants without a court order and give stronger rights to renters.
The Lagos State Tenancy and Recovery of Premises Bill 2025 would criminalise tactics that landlords sometimes use to force tenants out — like cutting electricity or water, breaking doors, or changing locks.
“Obligations of the landlord include not disturbing the tenant’s quiet and peaceable enjoyment of the premises, including not removing the roof, cutting off electricity or water supply or doing anything that will interfere with peaceful enjoyment of the demised premises,” the bill says.
The draft also spells out penalties.
“Any person who demolishes, alters, or modifies a building … with a view of ejecting a tenant and without an order of the court … commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not less than one million naira (N1,000,000.00) or a maximum of six (6) months’ custodial or non-custodial sentence, or both,” the bill adds.
Tenants would be able to challenge big rent increases in court.
The bill says courts must look at local rent levels and other facts before approving hikes.
“Notwithstanding the provisions of any law, it shall be unlawful for a landlord to eject a tenant from any premises pending the determination of the action filed pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.”
The measure also aims to speed up disputes: courts would hear tenancy cases quickly (hearings within 14 days and mediation capped at 30 days).
It would cap agent fees, require agents to register with the Lagos real-estate regulator, and demand quarterly accounts for service charges and deposits.
