Lagos to review tenancy laws amid spike in house rents – Official

The Lagos State Government has hinted at a possible review of its tenancy law to address rising house rents and protect tenants.

This development comes a day after the Enugu State House of Assembly initiated a move to amend its Landlord and Tenant Law to stop outrageous house rent and review Landlord/Tenancy law

The bill, sponsored by Hon. Anthony Okey Mbah, was read for the first time in the Enugu State Assembly.

Meanwhile, Jubril Gawat, a senior aide to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, hinted that similar developments might follow suit in the state.

Gawat retweeted a post about the Enugu tenancy assembly review on X on Wednesday with the captions “LAGOS … Coming Soon.”

He said the matter is a “very strong issue” that must be “well-discussed and implemented” after deliberation by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Rising rent prices have been a major concern for many Nigerians, particularly in urban centres like Abuja and Lagos, where tenants often struggle with high rental costs and unfavourable tenancy agreements.

Gawat’s hint at possible rent control in Lagos has sparked intense debate online, with many weighing in on the economic realities affecting landlords and tenants.

Some argued that landlords are simply adjusting to the country’s economic conditions, while others countered the argument, questioning whether landlords should constantly revalue old properties.

Some even argued that the government should focus on building affordable housing instead of regulating the value of private properties.

Ko kan yi o! This is private business, if you want rent to be cheap, build government houses and rent then at giveaway prices. When I dey buy Dangote Cement, una no help me, when I dey settle Omo onile, una no dey there. When I want to benefit, you want regulate me? Ki lo de?

— SyncFlow (Hon. Minister of Chicken) (@SyncFlow21) February 25, 2025

Are landlords buying cements every year ?

Or are they revaluing it every year to get the rental prices ?

— dame-lorla (@Miss_Lorlai) February 26, 2025

I believe existing laws are enough to protect, it is the lack of an existing system to enforce and punish erring agents that makes it common place to charge unrealistic rates as agreement and commission.

The problem is not the rent, it is the cost of renting attached to the…

— Abidemi Babaolowo Rolihlahla 🇳🇬 (@enyola) February 26, 2025

Corolla that was selling for 2 million in January 2023 is now 8 million with Abeg, yet you think Landlords are the problem.

Custom and excise duties jump to almost 400% from January 2023 till date.

CBN lending rate jumped from 16.7% to almost 30%, and you’re wondering how…

— Caleb Fumnaya Aloh (@CalebAloh) February 26, 2025

Seriously, living in Lagos is almost becoming unbearable for tenants. This has to be addressed. Government is building infrastructures with tax payers money and not landlord ‘s money alone but they are the ones complaining about price of cement.

— Akereyejo (@Palermo_seun) February 26, 2025

Reacting to the online back-and-forth, Gawat noted the divided opinions between landlords and tenants, noting that “The Public hearing for this incoming Law will be very interesting.”

Under this tweet, Landlords and Tenants are tackling themselves and sharing very interesting perspectives. Very nice.

Landlord says: Do u know how much is cement ?? Tenant says: Are u still buying cement for the house u built 10 years go ??

The Public hearing for this… https://t.co/YyhyhNWrFL

— Jubril A. Gawat (@Mr_JAGs) February 26, 2025