The member representing Nkanu East State Constituency, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Anthony Okechukwu Mbah has brought a bill for enactment, which proposes a law to amend the Landlord and Tenant Law of Enugu State 2004 to the Enugu State House of Assembly.
Hon. Mbah, who presented the bill to the floor of the state assembly on Tuesday, said there is a need to reduce the outrageous amount charged to those seeking apartments by agents in the state, thus proposing that the fee be pegged at 10% of the annual rent.
According to him, “It has become necessary to regulate these excessive charges imposed by agents. Many residents struggle to secure decent accommodation due to these exploitative fees, and as representatives of the people, we must intervene to restore fairness in the housing sector.”
He also proposed the abolishment of other fees that tenants pay in acquiring any accommodation except for the legal fee payable to a qualified legal practitioner for the purpose of preparing the landlord and tenant agreement, adding that such a fee should not exceed 10% of the rent. “It is unacceptable that prospective tenants are burdened with multiple hidden charges, which only serve to make housing unaffordable. With this amendment, we seek to streamline the process and ensure that only necessary fees, such as legal documentation, are recognized.”
The lawmaker, in a strategic move to use the bill to complement the governor Peter Mbah’s proposed mass housing project, which is designed to provide affordable housing to the civil servants and low income earners. The bill is aimed at bringing to a barest level the housing burden bideviling the greater masses of the state.
The government of Enugu State has proposed to construct 30,000 mass housing unit between 2025 and 2026 to address housing deficits in Enugu State.
Speaking to newsmen after the plenary, Hon. Anthony Okechukwu Mbah stated that the amendment is in furtherance to the state government plans to address the housing needs of the people. The pains that residents pass through in acquiring houses for rent in Enugu urban areas have become too tense that they need to be curtailed.
“The level of hardship in securing accommodation in Enugu is alarming. Tenants are often subjected to exorbitant charges that make it difficult to find decent housing. This bill is a response to their struggles, and we are committed to ensuring that fair housing policies are upheld,” he said.
He further noted that landlords and agents have long exploited the absence of strict regulation in the housing sector, leading to arbitrary fees and unnecessary financial burdens on tenants.
“For too long, landlords and agents have dictated rental prices and additional charges without any clear legal framework to protect tenants. This amendment will set a fair standard and ensure that both landlords and tenants operate within reasonable and lawful boundaries.”
Hon Mbah, who is also the chairman House Committee on Housing and Foreign Investment, through the sponsorship of this 2nd landlord and tenant amendment, Bill has reflected his passion in pioneering legislation that impacts positively to the yearning of his constituents and citizens of Enugu State. This proposed bill is a landmark one for it is the first private member bill since the inception of the 8th session of the Enugu State House of Assembly.
