The Kogi State House of Assembly has commenced the process of overhauling the state’s tenancy laws with a public hearing on a bill designed to protect tenants from arbitrary rent increases, unlawful evictions and exploitation by landlords and property agents.
The proposed legislation seeks to repeal the Rent Control and Recovery of Residential Premises Law, 2007 and replace it with a new Kogi State Tenancy Law, 2027, aimed at reflecting present-day economic realities and strengthening the rights and responsibilities of landlords, tenants and property agents.
The bill, sponsored by the member representing Ankpa I State Constituency, Lawal Akus, comes amid widespread complaints over escalating house rents and excessive agency charges across the state, particularly in the face of Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship.
Speaking at the public hearing, Akus said the proposed law was conceived to establish a fair, transparent and balanced legal framework governing tenancy relationships in Kogi State.
According to him, the legislation seeks to address arbitrary rent increases, unlawful evictions, excessive charges by property agents, prolonged tenancy disputes, abuse by both landlords and tenants, and delays in the administration of justice.
