Fashola calls for Lagos Assembly to amend tenancy law

By Esther Agbo

Former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, has called on the state House of Assembly to revise the state tenancy law to mandate landlords to collect only six months rent.

Fashola made this appeal during a Gala Night celebrating 25 years of unbroken democratic governance in Nigeria, organized by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

As regarding Federal Governance, He pointed out that rent control falls under state jurisdiction, not federal, emphasizing that the National Assembly lacks the authority to legislate on landlord-tenant relations.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Tenancy Law, originally signed by Fashola in August 2011, currently allows landlords to collect one year’s rent from new tenants. However, Fashola highlighted the need for the law to be updated due to current economic difficulties, aiming to safeguard tenants from exploitative landlords.

He said, “We are using this law to protect landlords and citizens from shylock landlords.

“I remember that this House once started by reducing the tenancy agreement from three years to one year, which had its impact.

“At this time of economic challenges and cost of living issue, I think we can go back to the tenancy agreement where landlords should be compelled to collect three months to six months’ rent. This will help in no small way.”

Fashola also referenced various skits and videos depicting landlords knocking on tenants’ doors, with parents instructing their children to claim they were not home to avoid paying rent.
He urged the legislators to reconsider the tenancy rate issue.