Hon Akus Lawal, member representing Ankpa I state constituency in the Kogi state house of assembly, has proposed a bill to repeal the existing Rent Control and Recovery of Residential Premises Law, 2007.
The bill, titled the Kogi State Tenancy Law, 2025, seeks to modernise tenancy regulation in the state by improving legal clarity, administrative efficiency, and ensuring fairer representation in housing regulation.
Lawal, who is also the chairman of the house committee on finance and economic planning, presented the bill on Wednesday during plenary in Lokoja.
“The bill aims to introduce digital approaches to tenancy management and restore sanity in landlord-tenant relationships,” he said.
According to the draft bill, one of the key provisions is a ban on the collection of rent in excess of 12 months, a practice many tenants in the state have described as exploitative.
The bill proposes the establishment of a Rent Control Board and a Rent Control Task Force, which will have the powers to enforce compliance, regulate tenancy agreements, and fix standard and maximum rent rates across the state.
Section 13(a) introduces a compulsory dispute resolution mechanism, making it mandatory for rent-related complaints to first go through the Rent Control Board before being taken to court.
Sections 16 and 17 outline the rights and obligations of both landlords and tenants, ensuring clearer responsibilities under the law.
The bill also seeks to licence property agents through the board, forbidding them from charging agency fees above five per cent of the total rent amount.
Section 18 prohibits the collection of more than 12 months’ rent in advance, while penalties for violation are clearly spelt out across multiple sections including 19 to 25, 36, 54, 55, and 59.
Landlords will also be required to register their premises with the Rent Control Board and keep rent books containing tenant information, which could support security efforts in the state.
Another key feature is the introduction of a rent tax for landlords whose rental income exceeds ₦3 million per year, reinforcing the bill’s revenue generation and accountability goals.
The bill criminalises impersonation by fake landlords and agents who collect rent from unsuspecting tenants, as well as bribery of officials and regulatory board members.
It also bars individuals from taking rent matters to the police except in cases involving criminal conduct.
“The draft law provides checks and balances to protect both landlords and tenants,” Lawal said.
He added that the bill’s implementation will create “a peaceful and regulated environment for all parties involved in tenancy agreements across the state.”
The assembly is expected to conduct further legislative processes on the bill in the coming weeks.
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