By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu
Cheery news came for tenants and prospective tenants in Enugu State as, in response to their growing complaints of exploitation by landlords, the State House of Assembly has introduced a bill to check such excesses.
Entitled ‘The Bill for a Law to Amend the Landlord and Tenant Law, CAP. 101, Laws of Enugu State, 2024’, the proposed legislation, sponsored by member representing Nkanu East constituency, Hon. Okey Mbah, underwent the first reading on Tuesday, February 25.
Among others, the bill seeks to regulate agency and legal fees by setting both at a maximum of 10 per cent.
It also seeks to abolish the age-long practice of caution fees demanded of tenants by landlords, but never refunded at the end of their tenancy.
Section 3 (3) of the proposed legislation provides: “With effect from the commencement of this law and notwithstanding any provisions in other enactments, agent fee chargeable for procuring any accommodation in the State, shall not exceed 10 per cent of rent by the prospective tenant.”
Also, Section 3 (4) provides that “no tenant shall be caused to pay any further premium in acquiring any accommodation except legal fee payable to a qualified legal practitioner for the purpose of preparing the landlord and tenant agreement and such fee shall not exceed 10 per cent of the rent.”
Offence under this bill, when passed into law, attracts a N500,000 fine or a prison term of six months or both.
The bill equally seeks to checkmate the injustice suffered by tenants through forced, irregular, and fraudulent evictions by establishing a legally defined duration for eviction and other relevant notices.
It additionally intends to ensure that anyone who wishes to operate as a land agent or property manager, is properly certified by the relevant agency, while also empowering a designated government Ministry, Department or Agency (MDA) to make further regulations on housing and tenancy matters in the State.
Speaking with newsmen after the bill was read for the first time, Hon. Mbah said the move was in sync with the “earnest desires of the people and residents of Enugu State,” saying he had no doubt that it would get the support of an overwhelming majority of members of the House of Assembly because “the ills it seeks to address are widespread and generally suffered by our constituents.”
