Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has sent an executive bill to the State House of Assembly to amend the Landlord and Tenant Law and address concerns over rising rental costs.
The proposed amendment seeks to regulate agency and legal fees, check arbitrary rent increases and promote transparency in tenancy transactions.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu, disclosed the development in a post on his verified Facebook page on Monday. He said a similar bill sponsored by Anthony Okey Mbah, who represents Nkanu East State Constituency, had already passed through key legislative stages.
According to the Speaker, the lawmaker-sponsored bill has passed first and second readings. The House has also held a public hearing on the proposal.
The executive bill seeks to amend the Landlord and Tenant Law, Cap 101, Revised Laws of Enugu State, 2004. Its provisions aim to address concerns affecting landlords, tenants, estate agents and investors in the housing sector.
The proposed reform comes as the state pursues wider development goals. Related coverage examines the Enugu Government’s Efforts to Sustain Development Gains.
Enugu Tenancy Law Amendment Targets Agency and Legal Fees
Ugwu said the proposed amendment would make tenancy-related charges more transparent and predictable. It also seeks to control and limit agency and legal fees.
The legislation proposes a formal regulatory framework for estate agents. This would provide clearer guidelines for tenancy transactions and strengthen accountability within the sector.
Ugwu said: “When we are done with dotting the (i’s) and crossing the (t’s), we shall have a document that shall make tenancy related charges more transparent and predictable, control and limit agency and legal fees, establish a formal regulatory framework for agents”.
The proposed measures would clarify the financial obligations of landlords and tenants. They would also establish a more structured framework for agents involved in rental transactions.
A clearer regulatory environment could also affect property investors and businesses operating in the state. Enugu has pursued investment opportunities across several sectors, including those outlined in its plans to attract German investment in agriculture, energy and technology.
Proposed Law Seeks to Check Arbitrary Rent Increases
The Speaker said the proposed legislation would address arbitrary rent increases and reduce disputes over property damage.
According to Ugwu, the bill would “provide a structured mechanism for handling caution fees and refunds, reduce disputes over property damage through joint inventories and professional valuations where necessary and put arbitrary rent increases on check”.
The proposed provisions would establish clearer procedures for handling caution fees and refunds. They would also encourage joint inventories and professional property valuations where necessary to resolve disagreements over damage to rented properties.
If lawmakers approve the measures, they could provide clearer expectations around rental payments, property conditions and the return of caution fees.
The final impact, however, will depend on the provisions the Assembly adopts and how authorities implement the law.
Anthony Okey Mbah’s Tenancy Bill Already Before Assembly
Governor Mbah’s executive bill comes as a similar proposal from Anthony Okey Mbah moves through the legislative process.
The Nkanu East lawmaker’s bill has passed first and second readings, while the House has also conducted a public hearing, according to Speaker Ugwu.
The two proposals place tenancy law reform before the Assembly through both executive and legislative initiatives. The House will determine how it considers the bills and what provisions ultimately form part of any amended law.
The proposals focus on tenancy charges, estate agency practices, rent increases and disputes involving rented properties.
The legislative process forms part of the state’s wider governance agenda. A related report covers NACCIMA’s Commendation of Mbah’s Security Measures and Enugu’s Economic Ambition.
Mbah’s Vision to Position Enugu as an Investment Destination
Ugwu said the proposed legislation aligns with Mbah’s broader vision for Enugu State. He linked the reform to efforts to attract businesses and investment while improving the state’s appeal as a place to live and visit.
The Speaker stated: “According to the Governor’s vision, indeed we can make Enugu the preferred destination for business, investment, tourism and living.”
The proposed amendment seeks to support this objective by creating a more predictable framework for rental transactions. It would also establish clearer rules for landlords, tenants and other participants in the housing market.
Enugu has continued to highlight investment as part of its economic development strategy. In another development, Mbah commissioned a multi-billion-naira pharmaceutical company in Enugu, adding to the state’s reported private-sector investment activity.
The state has also presented infrastructure development as part of its efforts to attract businesses. Members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors recently toured Mbah’s infrastructure projects across Enugu.
Housing Reform and Wider Development Plans
The proposed tenancy amendment addresses a specific area of the housing market: the financial and contractual relationship between landlords, tenants and agents.
Its proposed controls on fees, rent increases and caution-fee refunds could provide clearer rules for rental transactions if the Assembly adopts them.
The bill also seeks to reduce disputes by encouraging joint property inventories and professional valuations where necessary. These provisions would clarify how parties document property conditions and handle disagreements over damage.
The reform is being considered alongside other state initiatives involving public services and economic development. For example, Enugu’s community programmes include CSDA sensitisation and participatory rural appraisal exercises in six communities.
Other initiatives have focused on grassroots development, including projects highlighted in a report on how Rep. Sam Atu praised Mbah’s development efforts through the CSDA.
The state has also pursued development across education and agriculture. Its policy agenda includes the Enugu Education Policy unveiled by Governor Mbah and the South-East Agro-Development Programme launched with the SEDC.
The proposed tenancy law amendment remains subject to legislative consideration. Its eventual effect on landlords, tenants, estate agents and investors will depend on the final law and its implementation.
