1st June, 2011
The Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday evening passed six pending bills.
Among those passed is the Tenancy Bill which stipulates that it is unlawful for a landlord to collect rent or for a new tenant to offer payment of rent in excess of one year.
Once the bill receives the assent of Governor Babatunde Fashola, it shall also become unlawful for a landlord or his agent to demand or receive from a sitting tenant, rent in excess of six months for a monthly tenancy in respect of any premises without prejudice to the nature of tenancy.
The bill placed a fine of N100,000 or three years imprisonment on any landlord or new tenant who pays in excess of one year and N100,000 or three months imprisonment for any landlord who fails to issue a receipt to a tenant for payment of rent.
Tagged A bill for a law to regulate rights and obligations under tenancy agreement and the relationship between landlord and the tenant including the procedure for the recovery of premises and for other connected purposes in Lagos State, it was passed and sent to the governor for his assent after it passed the third reading.
According to the bill, “it shall be unlawful for a sitting tenant to offer or pay rent in excess of one year for a yearly tenant in respect of any premises and any person who receives or pays rent in excess of what is prescribed by the law shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a fine of N100,000.â€
The bill consisting of 47 sections including jurisdiction of the courts, obligations of the tenant, obligations of the landlor length of notice, also emphasised tenant’s entitlement to quiet and peaceful enjoyment of the premises which include privacy, freedom from unreasonable disturbance, noise pollution and nuisance as well as exclusive possession of the premises, subject to the landlord’s restricted right of inspection.
Part of the privacy to be enjoyed by the tenant includes a written letter by the landlord to the tenant if such a landlord wishes to inspect the house.
Others passed included the Lagos State Public Procurement Bill, Lagos State Public Private Partnership Bill, Lagos State Public Finance Management Bill, Listed Sites (Preservation) Bill and Lagos State Residents Agency Bill.