A newly proposed tenancy bill in Lagos would give tenants the right to challenge what they consider unreasonable rent increases, and prevent landlords from evicting tenants while those challenges are before the court. Under Section 33 of the Lagos State Tenancy and Recovery of Premises Bill 2025, a tenant may apply to the court for a declaration that a rent increase imposed by a landlord is unreasonable. The court would then compare local rent levels, evaluate evidence brought by both parties, and consider any special circumstances before deciding whether to reduce the rent.
If a rent‑increase dispute is brought under the bill, landlords are prohibited from evicting the tenant until the court rules. The bill also introduces a much faster legal process for tenancy disputes: eviction or rent‑dispute cases filed under the legislation must be heard within 14 days, and courts may sit on weekends, public holidays, or virtually to accelerate resolution.
Other provisions in the bill include limits on how much rent a tenant can be required to pay in advance, stricter regulation of agents, and clearer procedures for issuing and executing eviction notices.
