#01RENT
You may have heardLagos has capped rent — landlords can no longer raise it.
The law actually saysNeither the current law nor the bill caps rent. Your remedy today is to ask the Court to declare an increase unreasonable.
Check the section:
Lagos · Tenancy Rights · Law vs Bill
Ẹ̀tọ́
Know the law that actually applies to you today. Ẹ̀tọ́ (Yoruba): right, entitlement, what is due to you.
0days since the bill passed second reading. Still not law.2nd reading 2025-07-10 · committee stage · verified 2026-09-17
What is happening to you?
If the bill passes, what changes?
Law todayUnder the bill
Notice to quitUNCHANGED1 week (at-will) · 1 month (monthly) · 3 months (quarterly/half-yearly) · 6 months (yearly) Identical periods for every tenancy type
Advance rent — sitting monthly tenantTIGHTENEDUp to 6 months Down to 3 months
Arrears before a monthly tenancy lapsesCHANGED6 months of arrears Only 2 months — evictions for arrears would get much faster
Penalty for self-help evictionRAISEDFine up to ₦250,000 or 6 months Fine of at least ₦1,000,000 or up to 6 months
Agency fee capNEWNone in force 5% of one year's rent, registered agents only
Where the law appliesNot in Apapa, Ikeja GRA, Ikoyi, Victoria Island Everywhere in Lagos State
Everything in the right column is a proposal — none of it is law yet. · verified 2026-09-17
Wetin dem talk vs wetin the law talk
#02AGENCY FEE
You may have heardAgent fees are now capped — reported as 10% by some outlets, 5% by others.
The law actually saysThere is no fee cap in force. The 5% figure (of one year's rent) is in the bill, which is still at committee. The 10% figure comes from a government statement of June 2025 ('agency fees must be between zero and 10 per cent') — a policy position, not a law.
Check the section:
#03ADVANCE RENT
You may have heardLandlords can no longer collect more than 3 months' rent upfront.
The law actually saysThat 3-month cap is the bill, not the law. Today's caps: 1 year for a new tenant, 6 months for a sitting monthly tenant — in force since 2011.
Check the section:
#04COVERAGE
You may have heardThe Tenancy Law protects every tenant in Lagos.
The law actually saysIt does not apply in Apapa, Ikeja GRA, Ikoyi or Victoria Island, or to institutional housing. The bill would remove the area exemptions — but it is not law yet.
Check the section:
#05EVICTION
You may have heardIf a tenant owes rent, the landlord can lock the place or remove the door.
The law actually saysNever — arrears or not, self-help eviction is a crime today (fine up to ₦250,000 or 6 months). Only a court order ends possession. The bill would raise the fine to at least ₦1,000,000.
Check the section:
Informational only — not legal advice. Every statement links to the section of the law or bill it comes from. Where we cannot cite, we say so and point you to the Lagos State Citizens Mediation Centre or a lawyer. Nothing you type here leaves your device.