On Tuesday, the Members of the Enugu State House of Assembly read for the first time a Bill for a Law to amend the Landlord and Tenant Law of Enugu State, 2004.
The bill, sponsored by Hon. Okey Mbah, among other things, seeks to reduce the outrageous amount charged to those seeking apartments by agents in the State by pegging the fee at 10% of the annual rent.
“With effect from the commencement of this law and notwithstanding any provision in other enactments, agent fee chargeable for procuring any accommodation in the State shall not exceed 10% of rent paid by the prospective tenant.”
Hon. Mbah also proposes that:
“No tenant shall be caused to pay any further premium in acquiring any accommodation except legal fee payable to a qualified legal practitioner for the purpose of preparing the landlord and tenant agreement, and such fee shall not exceed 10% of the rent.”
The bill also seeks to empower the Enugu State Housing Development Corporation through its managing director to register any person who intends to operate as an agent in the State and give such person a permit, which shall be renewed annually.
Furthermore, the bill proposes that:
“Any person or persons who contravene any of the provisions of this law is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of N500,000 or imprisonment for a term of six months or to both such fine and imprisonment.”
