In Lagos State, the law that applies to tenancy matters is the Tenancy Law of Lagos State 2011 though it doesn’t apply to every part of Lagos, areas such as Apapa; Ikeja G.R.A; Ikoyi; and Victoria Island are exempted from the law. Also, residential premises operated by educational institutes for their staff and students; residential premises provided for emergency shelters and residential premises providing rehabilitative or therapeutic treatment are exempted from the Law as well.
The introduction of the Law by Governor Fashola won the heart of Lagosians because it prohibited property owners from collecting more than a year’s rent from tenants, it also prohibits the tenant from offering and if either party are found culpable of such act they shall be liable to 3 months imprisonment or a fine of N100,000. 00.
Under the Tenancy Law, tenants are entitled to quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the premises, this includes; privacy, freedom from unreasonable disturbance, exclusive possession of the premises and the use of common areas for reasonable and lawful purposes. But, tenants also have certain duties and obligations under the tenancy agreement, which include:
– duty to pay rent at the times and in the manner stated
– duty to pay all existing and future rates and charges not payable by the landlord by law.
– to keep the premises in good and tenantable condition.
– permit the landlord’s agents to effect repairs.
– not to make alterations on the building without express consent from the landlord.
– not to assign or sub let the property without the consent of the landlord, and
– inform the landlord when repairs are to be made.
The Law allows landlords to collect service charges but states that a seperate receipt must be issued for such payments. The tenants are however entitled to a written account of how such funds are used. Where the tenant fails to adhere to the conditions of rent, the tenancy agreement may be terminated by the Landlord taking possession of the property.
Adedunmade Onibokun Esq.
@adedunmade
dunmadeo@yahoo.com
I would love to know if it is compulsary to give 3 months extra after issuing quit notice 6 months to the expiring date of the rent where the tenant fails to quit the premises.
I found this quite informative. To think I lived in Lagos and never knew all this. Thanks for sharing.
i rented a apartment i november, did some minor repairs and moved in with my family by december. then i discovered that the former tenant had an outstanding bill amounting to twenty four thousad naira. my land clained he had no knoweldge of it and can not really do anything about it. i reported to the nepa and they said it was the duty of the land to recover the money for the bill. nepa has disconected my line from the power source due to the outstanding bill. please i need an advise. thanks.
We have a tenant in my fathers house whose rent expired may 15, 2013. He promised to pay up till now but the question I asked him is that if he succeeds to pay the arrears when will he pay the current year?
After all said and done hes been asked to leave the apartment by June ending and leave the money he is owing but he is choosing to go to mediation center for us to allow him more time.
Please can I get the law to get him out?
I rented an apartment in July 2013. After the payment, my landlady refused to complete the apartment which i had to do with my own money. In march 2014, she informed me of her intention to increase the rent by the end of April. Then, she came again informing me of her decision to sell the house. i told her to give me eviction notice since there was an agreement binding us made by a lawyer and also to give me 6month notice in accordance with the section 12 of lagos state tenancy law. She invited me to lagos state citizens mediation centre of which she was told to give me an eviction and 6months notice. She refused to comply and has been threatening to evict me by using the military. What do you advice i do. Please i need your urgent response.
Dapo
Pls my house rent has expired and the landlady refused to rent but for me to moved out, she cut my access to power(PHCN), she blocked my service line of water, and changed the key to the main gate .by so doing I don't have access to my house again so I left the following day to work, I was at work when someone called me that my house has been buggled and my flat screen TV and laptop stolen. Now the lawyer want me out, WHAT Can I DO to stop all this injustice?
Hi,
My rent expired on the 31st of dec 2014, though my landlady had given me a 6 months quit notice which she backdated from september 2014(before my rent expired) to expire by march 2015.Though i promised to move out by May 2015 but to my surprise, 2 days ago she brought 7 days ejection letter which was signed by her lawyer. Should i take this to the mediation center or what should i do as i know i should be entitled to 6 months notice.
pls my house rent will be expiring September of this year but my landlord gave me quit notice last week 18th june 2015, and started counting the 6 month quit notice from the same june. is this ok or the notice should start counting from when my house rent expires which is September, thanks pls need an anwer.
Good day, my rent is due to expire by 31st of December 2015 and my landlord has sent an sms requesting g for renewal. I replied and told him I will pay him on or before 1st week of March but he replied and said it's not possible. What do you advice I do? Thanks a lot