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A number of landlords and estate agents have always wondered
how to best rid themselves of very stubborn tenants without erring in law,
apparently some of these tenants unscrupulously seek to exploit the lacuna in
the law just so they can live in a property for years without paying rent, I have
heard of such tenants and the landlords are usually always bitter about such
situations. Some landlords have always resulted to self-help by forcefully evicting
the said tenants but a recent decision of the court where such a landlord was
directed to pay damages and compensation to the forcefully evicted tenant will
seek to discourage many others.
how to best rid themselves of very stubborn tenants without erring in law,
apparently some of these tenants unscrupulously seek to exploit the lacuna in
the law just so they can live in a property for years without paying rent, I have
heard of such tenants and the landlords are usually always bitter about such
situations. Some landlords have always resulted to self-help by forcefully evicting
the said tenants but a recent decision of the court where such a landlord was
directed to pay damages and compensation to the forcefully evicted tenant will
seek to discourage many others.
The Lagos State Tenancy Law 2011 provides that parties can
provide for how a notice to quit can be given in the tenancy agreement,
however, when there is no such provision, Section 13 of the law provides that:-
provide for how a notice to quit can be given in the tenancy agreement,
however, when there is no such provision, Section 13 of the law provides that:-
Where there is no stipulation as to the notice by either
party to determine the tenancy, the following shall apply –
- a week’s notice for a tenant at will
- one (1) month’s notice for a monthly tenant
- three (3) month’s notice for a quarterly tenant
- six (6) month’s notice for a yearly
tenant.
It’s important to note that when the
tenancy is for a fixed period (e.g. one year) and such period has expired but
the tenant refuses to give up possession, if the landlord intends to recover possession, he
shall serve a seven (7) days written notice of his intention to apply to
recover possession. Such notice will be classified as properly served when
handed to the tenant in person; to an adult residing on the premises; by
courier to the address or posting same on a prominent part of the premises.
tenancy is for a fixed period (e.g. one year) and such period has expired but
the tenant refuses to give up possession, if the landlord intends to recover possession, he
shall serve a seven (7) days written notice of his intention to apply to
recover possession. Such notice will be classified as properly served when
handed to the tenant in person; to an adult residing on the premises; by
courier to the address or posting same on a prominent part of the premises.
Upon expiration of the 7 day ultimatum,
if the tenant still refuses to give up possession, the landlord may file a
claim for recovery of possession against the tenant in the magistrate court or
high court where the premises is located.
if the tenant still refuses to give up possession, the landlord may file a
claim for recovery of possession against the tenant in the magistrate court or
high court where the premises is located.
A court can also order possession if
the tenant is in arrears of rent; has breached any covenant in the agreement;
where the premises is required for personal use by the landlord and where the
premises requires substantial repair. A court shall also have power to make an
order for possession upon proof of facts that; the premises is used for immoral
or illegal purposes; has been abandoned; is unsafe and constitutes a danger to
the public or the tenant simply constitutes a nuisance.
the tenant is in arrears of rent; has breached any covenant in the agreement;
where the premises is required for personal use by the landlord and where the
premises requires substantial repair. A court shall also have power to make an
order for possession upon proof of facts that; the premises is used for immoral
or illegal purposes; has been abandoned; is unsafe and constitutes a danger to
the public or the tenant simply constitutes a nuisance.
Adedunmade Onibokun, Esq
@adedunmade