The Lagos State Government has moved to clamp down on illegal evictions and landlord harassment with a new tenancy law proposal.
The Lagos State Tenancy and Recovery of Premises Bill 2025 (Draft) makes it mandatory for landlords to obtain a court order before ejecting tenants.
Under the proposed law, forceful evictions, intimidation, and self-help actions are now criminal offences.
Landlords who cut electricity or water, remove roofs, or deliberately disrupt a tenant’s peace risk prosecution.
The Bill clearly outlines the responsibilities of landlords.
Section 10 states, “Obligations of the landlord include not disturbing the tenant’s quiet and peaceable enjoyment of the premises, including not removing the roof, cutting off electricity or water supply or doing anything that will interfere with peaceful enjoyment of the demised premises.”
The legislation also sets stiff penalties for violations.
Section 43 provides that any landlord who attempts to eject a tenant without a court order, alters a building to force eviction, threatens or molests a tenant, or causes damage to property commits an offence.
Such offenders face a fine of not less than ₦1 million, a prison sentence of up to six months, or both.
The proposed law follows persistent complaints from residents across Lagos.
Many tenants have reported being locked out of their homes, having doors broken, or being chased away by hired thugs during rent disputes.
Beyond evictions, the Bill also addresses arbitrary rent hikes.
Section 33 empowers courts to assess whether a rent increase is reasonable by comparing rents in similar locations, reviewing evidence from both parties, and considering special features of the property.
Tenants are also protected once a dispute reaches court.
Landlords are barred from evicting tenants while a case on rent increase or tenancy is pending.
The Bill states, “Subject to any agreement to the contrary, an existing tenant may apply to the Court for an order declaring that the increase in rent imposed by the landlord as payable under a tenancy is unreasonable.”
It further explains, “In determining whether an increase in the rent is unreasonable, the Court shall issue a hearing notice to the landlord and shall consider the application on the following grounds: (a) the general level of rents in the locality or a similar locality for comparative analysis; (b) evidence of witnesses of the parties; and (c) any special circumstances relating to the premises in question or any other relevant matter.”
The provision adds that if the court finds the increase unjustified, it may revise the amount.
It also makes eviction illegal while such proceedings are ongoing.
To speed up justice, the Bill introduces faster dispute resolution mechanisms.
Sections 20 to 24 allow tenancy cases to be filed through originating summons.
Hearings must be fixed within 14 days, and courts are permitted to sit on weekends, public holidays, or conduct virtual hearings.
Mediation is limited to a maximum of 30 days.
The proposed law also tightens rules around service charges and security deposits.
Section 12 requires landlords to give tenants a detailed account of how such funds are used every six months.
Security deposits must be refunded unless there is clear evidence of damage.
In addition, Section 7 reinforces tenants’ rights to privacy, peaceful enjoyment of their homes, access to shared facilities, and compensation for approved improvements carried out on the property.
If passed into law, the Bill is expected to significantly reshape landlord-tenant relations in Lagos, where sudden rent increases of up to 200 per cent have become common.