Lagos Assembly Advocates Tenancy Law Reforms

By Felix Kuyinu

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have recommended an outright implementation of the 2015 Tenancy Law to curb illegal practices by landlords in the state.

The lawmakers in unison urged the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, to embark on a sensitization campaign to address the excessive rent rates put out by house owners on tenants.

During a plenary at the Assembly Complex in Alausa, Ikeja on Tuesday, the lawmaker representing Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency o1, Lukmon Olumoh, raised the motion citing Section 37 of the state’s Tenancy Law which prohibits outrageous rent fees and increase.

Olumoh disclosed that the law grants access to the courts to protect tenants from such hikes as well as restraining persistent increase in rent fees which will worsen occurrences of homelessness in the area.

Desmond Elliot, who represents Surulere Constituency 01, said that recent increase in his constituency has risen from 100 to 200 percent.

Elliot mentioned that the property owners do not consider the income level of their tenants before increasing the rents. He bemoaned the forceful ejections imposed against the tenants without due legal processes.

Also reacting, Shabi Adebola, who represents Lagos Mainland 02, uttered that a provision of low-cost housing for underprivileged residents alongside addressing the rising cost of building materials will help reduce the unwanted condition and provide solace for tenants and house seekers.

Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, proposed an interface between real estate agents and investors to ensure lasting solutions to the unwanted situation.

Obasa directed the House Committee on Housing to invite all relevant stakeholders and agencies for a dialogue on curbing high house rent fees and other unwanted conditions.

He directed the Acting Clerk of the House, Abubakar Otun, to send a copy of the reform bill to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assent.