The Lagos State House of Assembly has issued a strong directive to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, demanding the full and immediate enforcement of the Tenancy Law of Lagos State 2015.
This decisive action aims to curb the widespread and often arbitrary practice of unregulated rent increases imposed by landlords across the state.
Furthermore, the Assembly has resolved to call upon the Commissioner for Information and Strategy to significantly intensify public awareness campaigns regarding the specific provisions and protections offered by the Tenancy Law.
This crucial resolution was reached during Tuesday’s plenary session, following a compelling motion put forward by Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, the esteemed member representing Ajeromi Ifelodun Constituency 1.
Hon. Olumoh passionately highlighted the urgent need to address the issue of excessive rent increments by landlords, arguing that these unchecked increases have directly contributed to a concerning rise in the number of homeless individuals throughout Lagos State.
In his argument, Hon. Olumoh specifically cited Section 37 of the Tenancy Law of 2015, which explicitly prohibits unreasonable rent increases and provides vital legal protection for tenants against such exploitative practices by landlords.
Indeed, the Lagos State Tenancy Law 2015 was meticulously designed to safeguard the interests of both tenants and landlords within the state.
The legislation clearly outlines the respective rights and obligations of both parties, encompassing crucial aspects such as the procedures for rent payment, the legally mandated notice periods for the termination of tenancy agreements, and the established mechanisms for resolving tenancy-related disputes.
Importantly, the law also imposes a clear limit on the amount of rent that landlords can demand in advance and strictly prohibits landlords from resorting to ‘self-help’ methods when attempting to evict tenants, ensuring that all eviction processes adhere to due legal procedure.
The motion received strong support from the member representing Surulere Constituency 1, Hon. Desmond Elliot, who seconded the call for action.
Hon. Elliot voiced his constituents’ concerns, lamenting that despite the ongoing infrastructural development and urban renewal projects intended to improve the quality of life in his constituency, rents have paradoxically skyrocketed.
He powerfully described this situation as a significant menace to society and implored the House to take urgent and decisive action, asserting that the Assembly remains “the last hope of the common man” in addressing this pressing issue.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Aro Moshood vehemently criticised the prevalent practice among many landlords in Lagos State of raising rental costs without any regard for the income levels of their tenants.
He underscored the legal provision stipulating that landlords cannot implement rent increases without first serving the tenant with due and proper notification, a requirement frequently ignored.
The member representing Ikorodu Constituency 11 further condemned the illegal eviction of tenants without adhering to the legally prescribed processes outlined in the Tenancy Law, stating emphatically, “Many people earning minimum wage cannot afford to get a room for themselves” under the current climate of unchecked rent inflation.
However, Hon. Shabi Adebola, representing Lagos Mainland 11 Constituency, urged the Assembly to exercise caution and circumspection when enforcing the law.
He argued for consideration of the corresponding and significant increases in the prices of essential building materials, which inevitably impact landlords’ costs.
Hon. Shabi implored the government to fulfil its own responsibilities by actively providing low-cost housing options for the less privileged residents of the state.
Similarly, the Speaker of the House, the Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, acknowledged the sensitive nature of the issue, cautioning against a narrow focus.
“Nothing should be looked at in isolation. We need to go beyond the issue of rent increment and consider the cost of building materials. There is a need for an interface between the real estate agents and investors,” Speaker Obasa astutely pointed out, advocating for a more holistic understanding of the factors at play.
To this end, Speaker Obasa issued a directive to the House Committee on Housing, chaired by Hon. Ege Olusegun, the member representing Ojo Constituency 1.
The committee has been tasked with inviting Hon. Olumoh, Hon. Elliot, and all other concerned stakeholders and relevant government agencies to convene and collaboratively seek a lasting and equitable solution to this pervasive menace of arbitrary rent increases.
In a separate development during the plenary session, the House successfully passed the bill for a law to establish the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy.
This significant legislation aims to foster the development of young individuals for future leadership roles within the state, with the overarching goal of nurturing the next generation of value-based Nigerian leaders.
Following the bill’s passage, Speaker Obasa directed the Acting Clerk of the House, Mr. Abubakar Otun, to forward a clean copy of the Bill to the Governor of Lagos State for his final assent, paving the way for its enactment into law.
