By TheDailyNewsHub Reporter
The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to regulate rental payments and prohibit landlords and property agents from compelling tenants to pay multiple years of rent in advance in the Federal Capital Territory.
The proposed legislation, sponsored by Representative Paul Nnamchi and co-sponsored by Ahmed Yusuf Doro, is designed to strengthen tenant protection and introduce greater transparency into the FCT housing market.
The bill seeks to prohibit landlords, estate agents and property managers from demanding more than 12 months’ rent in advance as a condition for granting or renewing a tenancy.
It also proposes measures to regulate housing agency practices, prescribe agency fees, address rent increases and establish a unified digital register for housing agents operating in the territory.
Presenting the proposal, Nnamchi argued that the legislation was intended to protect consumers and improve confidence in the housing sector.
The proposal attracted debate among lawmakers, including concerns about its constitutional implications and the extent to which government regulation should influence rental arrangements in a free-market economy.
Under the proposed framework, tenants would be protected against compulsory multiple-year advance payments. However, the proposal does not necessarily prevent landlords and tenants from voluntarily agreeing to longer payment arrangements where such agreements are not imposed as a condition of securing accommodation.
The bill also seeks to establish clearer standards for estate agents and property managers, with provisions intended to reduce exploitative practices and improve accountability in the rental market.
The development comes amid continuing concerns over housing affordability in Abuja, where tenants frequently face high rental costs and demands for substantial advance payments.
Following its passage for second reading, the bill will proceed through further legislative scrutiny, including consideration by the relevant House committee and consultations with stakeholders.
The proposal has not become law, and its provisions would only take effect if it successfully completes the legislative process and receives the required approval.