The Lagos State House of Assembly is considering a proposed bill that would prohibit landlords from evicting tenants without obtaining prior court approval, in a move aimed at strengthening tenant rights and curbing unlawful evictions across the state.
If passed into law, the proposed legislation would make it illegal for landlords or property agents to forcibly remove tenants, lock them out of their homes, or seize their belongings without a valid court order. The bill is designed to address the growing number of disputes between landlords and tenants, particularly cases involving harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary rent-related evictions.
Lawmakers backing the proposal argue that the measure will promote fairness in the rental housing sector and ensure that eviction processes follow due legal procedures. They emphasized that while landlords retain the right to reclaim their properties, such actions must be carried out through the courts to protect tenants from abuse.
The proposed law has sparked mixed reactions among stakeholders. Tenant advocacy groups have welcomed the move, describing it as long overdue, while some landlords and property developers have expressed concerns about potential delays and legal bottlenecks in recovering properties from defaulting tenants.
The bill is currently undergoing legislative review, and public hearings are expected before a final decision is taken by the Lagos State House of Assembly.