Reps transfer to cease Abuja landlords from amassing advance lease, company charges

The House of Representatives has handed for second studying a invoice that can cease landlords and property brokers within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, from forcing tenants to pay two years’ lease upfront and charging loopy company charges.

The invoice is named the Federal Capital Territory Advance Rent Regulation and Tenants’ Protection Bill, 2026. It was sponsored by Paul Nnamchi from Enugu and co-sponsored by Hon. Ahmed Doro from Katsina.

According to the invoice, no landlord, property agent, or property supervisor in Abuja can demand, obtain or power any tenant to pay greater than 12 months’ lease upfront to get a home or renew lease.

The regulation will cowl each residential and industrial homes within the FCT.

According to the lawmakers, some landlords and brokers use tips like obligatory service expenses, settlement charges, and pretend renewals to gather multiple yr’s lease. The invoice says that can turn into unlawful.

The invoice additionally needs to manage company and settlement charges, which tenants say generally attain 25 % of lease, and create a digital register for all housing brokers in Abuja.

To implement the regulation, the invoice will create a brand new physique known as the FCT Rent Regulation and Tenants’ Protection Authority. The authority will acquire complaints, examine, and order landlords to refund any unlawful cash inside 30 days.

“If any landlord or agent breaks the law, he could be fined between N500,000 and N5 million. If a company, the fine is from N5 million to N20 million,” the invoice acknowledged.