…Shields Tenants From Harassment, Eviction
The Lagos State Government has moved to clamp down on rising cases of forceful evictions and landlord harassment with the proposed Lagos State Tenancy and Recovery of Premises Bill 2025, which makes court orders compulsory before any tenant can be lawfully ejected.
Under the draft legislation, landlords who take the law into their hands by forcefully evicting tenants or engaging in self-help measures such as disconnecting electricity or water supply, removing roofs, locking apartments or using thugs risk severe punishment, including a fine of not less than ₦1m or a jail term of up to six months, or both.
Section 10 of the bill expressly prohibits landlords from disturbing a tenant’s quiet and peaceful enjoyment of rented premises, while Section 43 criminalises illegal eviction, harassment, intimidation, threats or deliberate damage to property aimed at forcing tenants out without a valid court order.
The bill provides that any landlord found guilty of such offences shall, upon conviction, face either a custodial or non-custodial sentence, reflecting the government’s resolve to end arbitrary and violent tenancy practices in the state.
The proposed law follows persistent complaints by residents over landlords breaking into homes, locking out tenants and deploying intimidation tactics during rent or tenancy disputes.
Beyond eviction matters, the bill also seeks to rein in arbitrary rent increases.
It empowers courts to determine whether rent hikes are reasonable, allowing tenants to formally challenge increases they consider excessive.
In doing so, courts are required to consider rent levels in similar locations, evidence presented by both parties and any special circumstances affecting the property.
Crucially, the bill bars landlords from evicting tenants while such cases are pending in court, a provision aimed at halting the widespread practice of imposing rent increases of between 50 and 200 per cent without sufficient notice or justification.
Where a court rules that a rent increase is unreasonable, it may order a revised and specific rent amount, stressing that eviction during the pendency of such proceedings is unlawful.
The draft legislation also introduces faster and more flexible dispute resolution mechanisms.
Tenancy cases may be filed through originating summons, hearings are to be fixed within 14 days, and courts may sit on weekends, public holidays or virtually.
Mediation processes are limited to a maximum of 30 days to avoid prolonged delays.
In a push for transparency and accountability, landlords will be required to provide tenants with periodic accounts of service charges and security deposits every six months.
Refundable deposits must be returned at the end of a tenancy, except in cases of proven and documented damage.
The bill further reinforces tenants’ rights to privacy, peaceful occupation of their homes, access to common areas and compensation for approved improvements made to rented premises.
If passed into law, the tenancy bill is expected to significantly reshape landlord-tenant relations in Lagos, offering stronger legal protection for tenants while curbing long-standing abuses in Nigeria’s most pressured housing market.
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