12 Things All LAGOS Tenants Should Know

• Real Estate Expert, RIDWAN OKE

It is not uncommon in Lagos State to find tenants being at the receiving end of a lawless or reckless landlords. It is a state where landlords and tenants are always at daggers drawn. They are never good friends, each always is suspicious of every move the other makes. Often times it is the tenant that is always crying foul and feeling cheated. In most cases, the tenant is always claiming to have been cheated by the landlord not knowing that he/she played right into the landlord’s trap because they did not bother to know how the Law protects them and where it ceases to do so. And in law, ignorance, they say, is no excuse. Where you have erred in your tenancy agreement, you will be made to pay for it.

There have been cases in which tenants have been evicted withiut default in the payment of rent. They are evicted and expected to evacuate the property in less than two months after quit notice had been served. There have also been situations where landlords have had to increase their rents by over a hundred percent, and without giving sufficient notice, informs tenant he is paying tye new rent in less than 6 weeks after notice of increment was served. All of these are situations that have lefy many tenants puzzled as to where their rights begins and where it stops.

Ridwan Oke, a legal practitioner and real estate expert, has listed important things a Lagos tenant should know as contained in the law. Lagos, known for its vibrant economy and growing population, has witnessed a surge in real estate demand over the years.

This has led to increased rental prices and a complex landlord-tenant relationship. To protect the rights of both parties, the Lagos State Government, enacted the Landlord and Tenant Law in 2011. But still, not many tenants are aware of their rights, their limitations, as far as the law is concerned in Lagos State.

Oke, in a post on his X account on Monday, highlighted major things a tenant should know from the law. They include:

NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR DEFAULTING TENANTS

Oke stressed that yearly tenants who default on their rent are only entitled to a 7-day notice from the landlord, signalling the landlord’s intention to recover possession of the property. This debunks a common misconception that defaulters are entitled to a 6-month notice.

“As a yearly tenant who is defaulting, you are not entitled to 6 months notice. The only thing your landlord owes you is a 7 days notice of owners intention to recover possession,” the lawyer said.

NON-DEFAULTING TENANTS

For tenants who are not in default, landlords must issue a six-month notice before eviction. However, Oke clarified that tenants are still obligated to pay rent during this notice period, a point often misunderstood.

“However, you will still pay your rent for the duration of that 6 months. It’s not free,” he said.

NO WRITTEN AGREEMENT, NO PROBLEM

Even in situations where there is no written tenancy agreement, tenants are protected by the Landlord and Tenant Law of Lagos State, 2011, which governs all tenancy relationships in the state.

Rent payments over one year are illegal.

Oke pointed out that it is illegal for landlords to demand rent over one year, and equally unlawful for tenants to offer such payments.

“This is illegal and contrary to section 4 (4) of the Landlord and Tenant Law of Lagos State. It is punishable on conviction with fine or three months imprisonment,” the real estate expert said.

RECEIPT OF RENT PAYMENT

Upon payment of rent, tenants are entitled to a receipt, as per section 5 of the law. The failure of landlords or their representatives to issue receipts constitutes a legal breach, he said.

Verify the person receiving rent.

In an environment ripe with fraudsters, Oke advised tenants to ensure that whoever is collecting rent is authorised to do so.

“If it’s an agent receiving rent, ask for a power of attorney or any other document that entitles them to receive the rent. If it’s the landlord receiving the rent, make sure the account details for payment matches their name,” the lawyer said.

SOME LOCATIONS EXCLUDED FROM THE LAW

The Landlord and Tenant Law of Lagos State applies to the entire Lagos State except Apapa, Ikeja GRA, Ikoyi and Victoria Island.

On why the areas were excluded, Oke said, “It is opined that tenants in those areas have better bargaining power and as such do not need govt protection.”

GROUNDS FOR EJECTION

Tenants who breach any clause in their tenancy agreement, such as unauthorized renovations, provide valid grounds for eviction, according to Oke.

UNREASONABLE RENT INCREASES

Where your landlord increases rent unreasonably, you can approach the court under section 37 of the law and the Court can review the rent after examining the surrounding circumstances, the legal practitioner said.

FORCEFUL EJECTION

Oke emphasised that it is illegal for landlords to demolish, alter, or modify a building to forcefully eject a tenant. Such actions are punishable by fines or up to 6 months in prison. Landlords must pursue lawful possession through the courts.

PROFESSIONAL FEES

If a professional, such as a lawyer or agent, is engaged in drawing up a tenancy agreement, the party who hires the professional is responsible for paying the associated fees, as outlined in section 11 of the law.

APARTMENT INSPECTION

Streetwise, you should go for inspection of the apartment you’re renting during the rainy season. It exposes the issues in the apartment such as roof leaking, environmental issues and accessibility during the rainy season, the Lagos-based lawyer advised.

Oke’s detailed insights provides tenants with the tools to navigate the legal and practical challenges of renting in Lagos, ensuring they are better protected and more informed in their housing decisions.