A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Stephen Ogundipe, says the proposed Tenancy Bill under consideration is designed to shield tenants from exploitation by estate agents while promoting healthier landlord-tenant relations across the state.
Ogundipe, who chairs the House Committee on Information, stated this in an interview on Thursday, a day after the Assembly held a public hearing on the bill. He explained that the legislation was prompted by persistent public complaints over exorbitant agency fees and other financial pressures faced by accommodation seekers in Lagos.
One of the bill’s key provisions is the reduction of agency fees on annual rents from 10 percent to 5 percent — a measure Ogundipe believes will ease tenants’ financial burden while attracting more private investment into the housing sector.
“The new bill is designed to protect the rights of both tenants and landlords. It will reduce disputes, remove barriers to large-scale housing development, and encourage mutual trust,” he said.
If passed into law, the bill will also mandate clear definitions of rights and obligations to promote peaceful coexistence, address recurring landlord-tenant controversies, and review legal requirements for landlords to insure their properties against loss or damage. Additionally, it allows landlords to inspect and maintain their premises, provided they give tenants prior notice.
The public hearing, held on Wednesday, was attended by Mr. Olusegun Ege, Chairman of the House Committee on Housing; Mr. Noheem Adams, House Majority Leader; and Mr. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, Lagos State Commissioner for Housing.
Ogundipe commended stakeholders for their valuable contributions, noting that their input will help shape a balanced and forward-looking tenancy law for Lagos.