BREAKING: Lagos Tenancy Bill Targets Jail Terms For Landlords’ Over Harassment And Illegal Evictions
The Lagos State Government has transmitted an Executive Bill, titled Lagos State Tenancy and Recovery of Premises Bill, 2025, to the House of Assembly, seeking to overhaul tenancy administration and address mounting disputes between landlords and tenants.
The proposed legislation, if passed into law, is expected to reshape the rental housing space in the state against the backdrop of rising complaints over steep rent increases—sometimes put at over 200 per cent—arbitrary charges and frequent conflicts over rights and obligations of parties.
The Bill is anchored on growing public outcry over alleged unlawful evictions, with tenants accusing some landlords of locking them out, removing doors, disconnecting utilities and employing intimidation tactics during rent disagreements.
Central to the proposal is a provision mandating landlords to obtain a valid court order before evicting any tenant, a move designed to strengthen legal protection for occupants and restore due process in tenancy relations.
The draft law expressly prohibits forceful eviction, harassment and all forms of self-help, including the use of threats or hired agents to recover premises.
It further provides that landlords who deliberately disconnect electricity or water supply, remove roofs or take steps that interfere with a tenant’s lawful occupation of a property will be liable to prosecution.
Section 10 of the Bill bars any conduct that infringes on a tenant’s right to quiet and peaceful enjoyment of rented premises.
To enforce compliance, the Bill prescribes stiff penalties. Under Section 43, any landlord who attempts to evict a tenant without a court order, alters a building to compel eviction, threatens or harasses a tenant, or damages property commits a criminal offence.
Convicted offenders face a fine of not less than N1 million, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.
The proposed law also moves to rein in arbitrary rent hikes. Section 33 empowers courts to determine the reasonableness of rent increases by considering prevailing rates in comparable neighbourhoods, submissions by the parties and the specific attributes of the property.
In a bid to fast-track justice, the Bill introduces expedited procedures for tenancy disputes.
Sections 20 to 24 allow actions to be commenced by originating summons, with hearings fixed within 14 days.
Courts may also sit on weekends or public holidays, hold virtual sessions and limit mediation to a maximum of 30 days to ensure speedy resolution.
In addition, the Bill strengthens regulation of service charges and security deposits. Landlords will be required to provide tenants with a detailed account of service charge expenditures every six months, while security deposits must be refunded except where there is verifiable evidence of damage to the property.
