The Lagos State Tenancy and Recovery of Premises Bill 2025 introduces some of the most important updates to rental regulation since the 2011 Tenancy Law. With most Lagos residents living as tenants and spending a large share of their income on rent, the Bill aims to modernize the system, strengthen protections, and reduce long-standing abuses in the housing market.
The reforms expand the law’s application across the entire state, introduce stricter rules on advance rent, and place tighter oversight on estate agents through mandatory LASRERA registration and clear penalties for misconduct. It also reshapes eviction procedures by allowing automatic termination of tenancy when rent is overdue beyond the prescribed period, requiring only a seven-day notice of intention to recover possession.
At the same time, the Bill increases the responsibilities of tenants who wish to go to court, requiring proof of rent and utility payments and undertakings to keep payments current during the case. Tenants can also challenge unreasonable rent increases, giving the courts room to set fairer rates. The addition of virtual hearings further modernizes the dispute process.
Unlike the 2011 law, the 2025 Bill applies to all parts of Lagos – urban & rural. Exemptions include:
- Staff housing owned by employers
- Staff housing owned by schools
- Emergency shelters
- Care facilities, etc.
The Bill mandates:
- Compulsory LASRERA registration for all agents
- Agents must remit rent to landlords within 7 days
- Agents may charge a maximum 5%
- Collecting rent from multiple people = crime (refund + up to 2 years jail or ₦1m fine)
Advance Rent Limits
- Max 3 months advance for a monthly tenancy
- Max 1 year for yearly tenancy
Penalty for violating: ₦1m fine or 3 months imprisonment. (The 2011 law allowed 6 months for monthly tenancies)
Tenants can challenge “unreasonable” rent increases in court. While the case is pending, landlords cannot evict. The court may adjust the rent to a fair amount based on the listed factors. The Bill also introduces virtual court sessions for tenancy matters. It is an accessible and tech-forward improvement to Lagos’ housing regulation.
Overall, the Bill seeks to create a more transparent and balanced tenancy framework that protects both tenants and landlords while improving how housing is regulated in Lagos.
