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ENUGU, Nigeria - The Enugu State House of Assembly has successfully passed a bill for a second reading that seeks to amend the 2004 Landlord and Tenant Law.
The bill was approved during Tuesday’s plenary session at the Assembly Complex in Enugu.
Okey Mbah, the bill's sponsor, led the discussion and highlighted that the legislation aims to alleviate the challenges and exploitation encountered by prospective tenants.
He pointed out that such exploitation includes excessive legal fees, agency fees, caution fees, and caretaker’s fees, which make it hard for many individuals to secure affordable housing.
Mbah, who represents the Nkanu East Constituency, mentioned that the bill has garnered significant interest from people within and outside the state.
He emphasized that the benefits of exploitation were primarily enjoyed by certain individuals, clarifying that the amendment is not aimed at targeting anyone or increasing rent.
He insisted that the state government needs to take serious measures to regulate agents' excesses and provide protection for low-income earners.
"This second amendment is introduced to modify the provisions of the original 2004 Landlord and Tenant Bill, which was revised in 2008. Its primary goal is to tackle the arbitrary and inflated fees imposed by agents in Enugu State when securing rental accommodations for potential tenants."
Mbah further explained that the high costs faced by tenants operate without proper regulations, leading to an uncontrolled market where unqualified individuals pretend to be agents, defrauding unsuspecting accommodation seekers.
He added, "These agents often vanish without leaving a trace." The proposed amendment includes a section that stipulates agent fees should not exceed 10 percent of the annual rent, with a similar provision for legal fees. Additionally, the bill aims to eliminate other unreasonable charges such as caution fees, management fees, and other concealed costs imposed on aspiring tenants.
Anthony Nwankwo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Awgu South, expressed concern over the alignment of house rent, legal, and agency fees in Enugu with those of Lagos and Abuja, describing the scenario as alarming.
Nwankwo urged an investigation into landlords who frequently raise rental prices, stressing that they impose unimaginable strain on residents.
Conversely, Hyginus Okoh from PDP, representing Enugu East Urban, cautioned against enacting a bill that may lead to further penalties for accommodation seekers by agents.
He pointed out that land surveying costs surged after surveyors were mandated to pay a fixed fee to the government.
Speaker of the House, Chief Uche Ugwu, charged the House Committees on Housing and Judiciary to review the bill and present their report by March 25.
