The Enugu State House of Assembly has taken a significant step toward amending the 2004 Landlord and Tenant Law, as lawmakers passed the bill for a second reading during Tuesday’s plenary session at the Assembly Complex in Enugu.
Okey Mbah, the bill’s sponsor, explained that the proposed amendment seeks to protect tenants from excessive charges imposed by landlords and rental agents.
He noted that many residents struggle with exorbitant legal fees, agency commissions, caution fees, and caretaker levies, which make securing accommodation increasingly difficult.
“This bill is a response to the frustration experienced by tenants due to arbitrary charges. It aims to introduce fair regulations without increasing rent or unfairly targeting landlords,” Mbah stated.
Key Provisions of the Amendment:
The proposed law introduces specific limits on agent and legal fees to prevent exploitation:
Agent fees must not exceed 10% of the annual rent (as outlined in Section 3).
Legal fees must also be capped at 10% of the annual rent (Section 4).
Caution fees, management bills, and other hidden charges will be abolished.
Mbah emphasized that many self-proclaimed rental agents defraud innocent house seekers and disappear, leaving them stranded.
The bill, he argued, would establish clear guidelines to regulate their activities and protect low-income earners.
During the debate, Anthony Nwankwo (PDP, Awgu South) compared Enugu’s rental costs to those in Lagos and Abuja, calling for an investigation into landlords who increase rent annually, placing a heavy financial burden on residents.
However, Hyginus Okoh (Enugu East Urban) cautioned against potential unintended consequences.
He cited a past government regulation on surveyor fees, which led to an increase in land surveying costs, warning that similar effects could arise in the housing sector.
Following the deliberations, Speaker Uche Ugwu directed the House Committees on Housing and Judiciary to review the bill and present their findings by March 25.
DAILY GAZETTE reports that if passed, the amendment could bring much-needed relief to tenants and ensure greater transparency in the Enugu rental market.
