Lagos Moves to End Illegal Evictions, Landlord Harassment with Tough New Tenancy Bill

Lagos Moves to End Illegal Evictions, Landlord Harassment with Tough New Tenancy Bill

The Lagos State Government has taken decisive steps to curb illegal evictions, landlord harassment, and arbitrary rent hikes with a new legislative proposal titled the Lagos State Tenancy and Recovery of Premises Bill 2025.

Under the proposed law, landlords will be legally required to obtain a court order before evicting tenants, marking a major shift in landlord-tenant relations in Lagos. The Bill criminalises all forms of forceful eviction, intimidation, and self-help actions, including the use of thugs or threats during rent disputes.

According to the draft legislation, landlords who deliberately cut off electricity, water supply, remove roofs, or take any action that disrupts a tenant’s peaceful occupation of a property risk prosecution. Section 10 of the Bill clearly states that landlords must not interfere with a tenant’s “quiet and peaceable enjoyment” of rented premises.

The Bill introduces 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 damages property commits a criminal offence. Offenders face a minimum fine of ₦1 million, up to six months’ imprisonment, or both.

The proposed law follows growing complaints from residents across Lagos State, where tenants have reported being locked out of homes, having doors broken, or being forcefully chased away during rent disputes.

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Beyond evictions, the Bill also tackles arbitrary rent increases. Section 33 empowers courts to determine whether a rent hike is reasonable by comparing rents in similar locations, reviewing evidence from both parties, and considering special features of the property.

Once a dispute reaches court, tenants receive additional protection. Landlords are barred from evicting tenants while cases relating to rent increase disputes or tenancy matters are pending. Existing tenants may apply for a court order declaring imposed rent increases unreasonable.

To ensure faster justice, the Bill introduces accelerated dispute resolution mechanisms. Sections 20 to 24 allow tenancy cases to be initiated through originating summons, with hearings to be fixed within 14 days. Courts may sit on weekends, public holidays, or conduct virtual hearings, while mediation is capped at 30 days.

The legislation also tightens regulations on service charges and security deposits. Landlords must provide tenants with a detailed account of service charge usage every six months, while security deposits must be refunded unless there is clear evidence of damage to the property.

In addition, Section 7 reinforces tenants’ rights to privacy, peaceful enjoyment, access to shared facilities, and compensation for approved improvements made to rented properties.

If passed into law, the Lagos Tenancy Bill 2025 is expected to significantly reshape the rental housing market in the state, where rent increases of up to 200 per cent have become increasingly common, offering stronger legal protection for tenants and clearer obligations for landlords.

Lagos Moves to End Illegal Evictions, Landlord Harassment with Tough New Tenancy Bill