The Lagos State Government has introduced the Tenancy and Recovery of Premises Bill 2025 (Draft), which criminalizes harassment and illegal evictions by landlords.
The proposed law makes it an offence for landlords to eject tenants without a valid court order or to use self‑help measures such as cutting utilities, dismantling parts of a building, or deploying thugs.
Section 10 of the bill outlines landlords’ obligations, including respecting tenants’ quiet enjoyment of premises and refraining from actions like removing roofs or cutting off electricity and water.
Section 43 prescribes penalties for illegal eviction attempts, including fines of not less than ₦1 million or up to six months’ custodial or non‑custodial sentences, or both.
The measure responds to widespread reports of landlords locking out tenants or forcibly removing them during disputes, aiming to strengthen tenant protections in Nigeria’s most populous state.
Rent Control, Dispute Resolution, and Transparency
The bill also addresses rent increases, empowering courts under Section 33 to determine whether hikes are justified. Judges may consider rent levels in similar areas, evidence from both parties, and special circumstances.
Crucially, landlords are prohibited from evicting tenants while such cases are ongoing, a safeguard in a state where rent is often raised by 50–200% without adequate notice.
Sections 20–24 streamline dispute resolution, requiring hearings within 14 days, allowing weekend or virtual sittings, and capping mediation at 30 days.
Section 12 enhances transparency in refundable charges, mandating landlords to provide six‑monthly accounts of service charges and security deposits, which must be refunded unless damage is documented.
Section 7 affirms tenants’ rights to privacy, peaceful enjoyment, use of common areas, and compensation for approved improvements.
The draft bill represents one of the most comprehensive tenancy reforms in Lagos, balancing landlord interests with stronger tenant protections, and aiming to modernizing dispute resolution in a city where housing pressures remain intense.
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