— Bill Seeks to Repeal 2007 Rent Control Law, Curb Landlord Excesses, and Modernize Tenancy System
A significant milestone was reached in the Kogi State House of Assembly on Tuesday as the bill titled “A Law to Repeal the Rent Control and Recovery of Residential Premises Law, 2007 and Enact the Tenancy Law and Other Matters Connected Thereto, 2025” passed its second reading.
According to a report by Hobnob News Nigeria, the bill, a private member legislation sponsored by Hon. Akus Lawal, representing Ankpa I Constituency, seeks to modernize the regulation of residential rental agreements in the state. In his lead debate, Lawal emphasized that the new law focuses exclusively on residential premises and is intended to correct longstanding legal and administrative lapses.
“By every legal consideration, the fixation of rents only on residential premises is an aberration,” Lawal stated. “This bill, when enacted, will establish proper nomenclature, standards, and best practices. It will also put in place an administrative framework to implement key provisions, ensuring the law is functional and enforceable.”
He noted the absence of any state regulation or gazette since 2007 specifying rent ceilings or residential accommodation classifications. “The consequence of this neglect is the unchecked liberty landlords currently enjoy, often resulting in widespread rent exploitation and mounting legal disputes.”
The proposed Tenancy Law, 2025 aims to address these concerns through a multifaceted approach: regulating landlords and agents, introducing rent-related taxation, boosting administrative efficiency, and leveraging digital tools to ensure transparency and compliance.
Seconding the bill, Hon. Shehu Tijani, representing Lokoja I, decried the escalating rent prices in Kogi. “Last month, a cleric in Lokoja highlighted the urgency of this bill. Our constituents are eagerly awaiting its passage to halt the exploitation by desperate landlords.”
Other lawmakers echoed these sentiments. Hon. Usman Adejoh of Idah Constituency criticized landlords for leveraging the current economic hardship to lease homes to individuals with questionable backgrounds, thereby undermining state efforts to combat crime.
Hon. members from Ogori-Magongo described the bill as a tool for promoting peaceful coexistence, stating, “This is the essence of governance—regulating relationships for the good of all.”
Hon. Kogi Koton-Karfe warned against limiting the law’s scope to urban areas. “Some criminals now reside in remote villages where there is little oversight. We must extend this law’s reach to enhance security across the state.”
Deputy Speaker Hon. Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba emphasized that the bill is not targeted at witch-hunting either landlords or tenants but aims to create a balanced and fair regulatory framework. Speaker of the House, Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, urged the joint committee on judiciary and finance to conduct broad consultations to ensure the bill reflects the realities and needs of all stakeholders.
He added, “We cannot compare ourselves to Abuja in terms of property value and infrastructure. Still, both landlords and tenants need a legal framework to ensure fairness and accountability.”
The bill now proceeds to the House’s joint committee on judiciary and finance for further legislative scrutiny and stakeholder engagement.
