The new Tenancy Bill currently under consideration by the Lagos State House of Assembly will ensure full protection of both tenants and landlords, as well as reduce inhibitions to mass housing development for private investors.
The Commissioner for Housing in Lagos State, Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, stated this while speaking with newsmen during the Public Hearing on Lagos State Tenancy Bill 2025 on Wednesday at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
He said, “As of today, there are issues surrounding the landlord and tenant relationship, this bill is intended to make sure that everybody knows his/her rights, the tenant is protected, the landlord is protected”.
Hon. Akinderu-Fatai, while appreciating the legislators of the Lagos State House of Assembly for the holistic work of research and dedication put into crafting the bill, also stated that the bill will undoubtedly create confidence for real estate investors and open up opportunities for new real estate financiers in the State.
According to him the new tenancy bill will “Escalate investment in the real estate sector and encourage investors to come in with confidence that when they build, their investment is well protected”.
The Commissioner, while contributing to the proceedings at the public hearing, applauded some of the highlights of the new bill, which will protect the tenants from exploitation by estate agents, such as a provision to make registration of agents mandatory and setting a limit for commission and agency fees. This, according to him, “is a response to the complaints and yearnings of the members of the public”.
In addition, Hon Akinderu-Fata mentioned that the new suggestion to include virtual hearings in proceedings will aid the speedy dispensation of trials, while the Alternative Dispute Resolution Agreement, when deployed, can also be enforced by the courts in case legal representatives choose the ADR option.
He also reiterated the need for the new bill to ensure the provision of the existing law to “keep premises insured against loss or damage” by landlords is favourably reconsidered.
He commended the new provision that expressly states the right of the landlord to inspect and maintain the premises, upon giving prior notice to the tenants.
The public hearing on the new Lagos State Tenancy Bill 2025 was witnessed by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who was represented by Hon Kayode Ogundipe. The gathering was also chaired by Hon Ege Olusegun Adebisi, the Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Housing.
Dignitaries in attendance at the public hearing include Engr. Abdulhafis Toriola, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Directors and Heads of Departments from the Ministry as well as representatives of various organisations in the real estate sector.
Such as the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Association of Realtors, Real Estate Agents Association of Nigeria and several others.
