By Ajuma Edwina Ameh
The Nigerian Senate on Monday proposed a bill seeking a three-month jail term or N1 million fine for landlords who demand advance payment of rent from tenants of residential, office buildings, and spaces above three months.
The bill titled, “Advance Rent for Residential Apartments, Office Spaces, etc. Regulation Bill 2022’’, also seeks to protect low-income earners from the oppression of landlords and also provide a safety net for landlords against erring tenants.
The bill, sponsored by APC lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Sen. Smart Adeyemi which passed the second reading on the floor of the Senate last week, prohibits landlords from demanding rent in excess of three months from fresh tenants.
It also bars tenants from offering to pay rent in excess of three months while securing an apartment for the first time, Persecondnews.com gathered.
The bill further prohibits arbitrary increase of rent and gives magistrate courts the power to determine reasonable rent increments.
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