The Enugu State House of Assembly has taken a significant step toward amending the 2004 Landlord and Tenant Law, passing a bill for a second reading aimed at regulating house rent and associated charges in the state.
During Tuesday’s plenary session at the Assembly Complex in Enugu, lawmakers debated the bill, which seeks to ease the financial burden on tenants by curbing excessive fees imposed by agents and landlords.
The bill, sponsored by Hon. Okey Mbah, aims to eliminate arbitrary charges such as excessive legal fees, agency fees, caution fees, and caretaker commissions, which he said have made housing unaffordable for many residents.
“This amendment is not designed to increase rent or target any group,” Mbah clarified. “Instead, it seeks to bring order to the rental market and protect low-income earners from exploitation.”
The proposed amendment has gained widespread public interest, with many supporting its efforts to regulate agent and legal fees. Specifically, the bill proposes capping agent and legal fees at 10% of the annual rent and eliminating hidden charges such as caution fees and management bills.
During the debate, Hon. Anthony Nwankwo (PDP, Awgu South) raised concerns about rising rent prices in Enugu, likening them to those in Lagos and Abuja. He called for an investigation into landlords who frequently hike rent, arguing that such practices place undue financial strain on tenants.
However, Hon. Hyginus Okoh (PDP, Enugu East Urban) warned of possible unintended consequences, citing past experiences where government-imposed price controls led to price increases in other sectors.
Following the debate, Speaker of the House, Hon. Uche Ugwu, directed the Committees on Housing and Judiciary to review the bill and present their findings by March 25. The decision marks another step toward improving housing affordability and protecting tenants in Enugu State.
