The proposed legislation, described as the most popular bill in the current 8th Assembly, aims to establish a fair, transparent, and legally guided framework governing the relationships between landlords, tenants, and agents across Delta State. It garnered unprecedented support in the Chamber.
The bill attracted robust debate from virtually all members present, with a notable consensus on its necessity and urgency.
Universal Acclaim for Sponsor: Every legislator who stood to debate began by thanking Hon. Nwaobi for initiating the bill, recognizing it as a critical response to the longstanding cries of constituents.
A Mandate from Constituents: Lawmakers explicitly stated that they were under direct instruction from their constituents to speak in favour of the bill, highlighting significant public pressure for rental reforms, particularly in urban centers like Asaba, Warri, Sapele, and Ughelli.
Cross-Constituency Support: The bill's support was broad-based, with contributions from about 25 Members who were present in the plenary.
Key Provisions of the Landmark Bill: The Landlord and Tenant Bill introduces several groundbreaking measures designed to protect parties in the rental market:
Rent Increase Regulation: The bill stipulates that no landlord shall increase rent by more than 50 percent, and such increments can only occur once every three years.
Capped Agency Fees: It mandates that no property agent shall collect more than five percent (5%) of the total rent sum as commission.
Curbing Agent Excesses: The legislation provides that agents must act only to the extent duly authorized by the landlord, a measure aimed at ensuring accountability and curbing fraudulent practices in property management.
The Path Forward: Following thorough deliberations, the House voted to progress the bill. It has been referred to the House Joint Committee on Housing, Women Affairs, Humanitarian Support Services and Urban Renewal for further legislative scrutiny and stakeholder engagement. The committee is expected to report back to the House later this month.
This legislative move addresses growing concerns over rising house rents and exploitative practices in the state's property sector, offering relief to low and middle-income earners who have been disproportionately affected.