Enugu: The Enugu State House of Assembly has passed for a second reading a bill to amend the 2004 Landlord and Tenant Law. The bill scaled the second reading on Tuesday in Enugu during the plenary at the Assembly Complex.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the sponsor of the bill, Mr. Okey Mbah, stated that the legislation aimed to address the frustration and exploitation faced by prospective tenants. Mbah highlighted that exorbitant legal fees, agency fees, caution fees, and caretaker’s wine have made it challenging for many residents to secure decent accommodation.
Mr. Mbah, representing Nkanu East Constituency, emphasized that the bill had garnered significant attention from people within and beyond the state. He clarified that while many have profited from the exploitation, the amendment bill was not targeting specific individuals nor intended to increase rent. The state government, he urged, must act decisively to regulate agents’ actions and safeguard low-income earners.
The proposed amendment seeks to alter the 2004 Landlord and Tenant Bill, last amended in 2008. It aims to cap agent fees at a maximum of 10 percent of the annual rent, with the same provision for legal fees. Additionally, it proposes to eliminate arbitrary charges such as caution fees, management bills, and other hidden costs that burden prospective tenants.
During the debate, Mr. Anthony Nwankwo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Awgu South, expressed concern over the high costs of rent, legal, and agency fees in Enugu, equating them with those in Lagos and Abuja. He called for an investigation into landlords who habitually raise rents, thus placing undue pressure on residents.
Conversely, Mr. Hyginus Okoh, PDP, Enugu East Urban, cautioned against passing a bill that could lead agents to further disadvantage accommodation seekers. He pointed out that land survey costs surged after surveyors were mandated to pay fees to the government.
Chief Uche Ugwu, the Speaker of the House, instructed the House Committees on Housing and Judiciary to review the bill and submit their report by March 25.