Tenancy Law: Lagos Govt, Landlords, Tenants Parley

Hundreds of landlords and tenants gathered at the Lagos Television premises, Ikeja, Lagos, South west Nigeria, at the weekend to jaw-jaw with the Lagos State Government over the Tenancy Law signed by Governor Babatunde Fashola recently.

The event was attended by the Commissioners for Information and Strategy, Housing, and Justice, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, Mr Bosun Jeje and Mr. Ade Ipaye respectively.

There were also members of the State Executive Council, chairmen of local government and local council development areas, Permanent Secretaries, representatives of professional associations, directors from various ministries, departments and agencies and members of Community Development Association, among others.

The event was a one-day public sensitisation programme, jointly organised by the Ministries of Information and Strategy and Justice.

Speaking at the event, the Information Commissioner, Lateef Ibirogba, said the government had good intention in enacting the new Tenancy Law, as it was for the good of everyone. He added that the law was enacted to give the people of the state a new lease of life as well as protect both the landlords and the tenants.

According to Ibirogba, the law had attracted much public discourse with different people taking different positions because many people are yet to get acquainted with the provisions of the law.

“We are in the people’s court, seeking the views of our beloved citizens on this law. Let me assure you that the law is meant to help you, and government will always ensure that it does not turn against what the people want,’’ he said.

He stated that the sensitisation programme was organised to enlighten, inform and educate the citizenry on the benefits of the law.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye stated that various dispute resolution outlets, such as the Citizens Mediation Centre and the Outdoor Courthouse System, had been established to adjudicate on the law.

He explained that the law does not cover Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Ikeja G.R.A and Apapa because those areas are mostly occupied by corporate organisations that sometimes prefer paying in advance for business reasons.

Ipaye warned that it is now an offence for any landlord to forcibly eject any tenant through fake court judgment, or any other means without the knowledge of the tenant.

Other areas which the commissioner highlighted include the right to privacy of a tenant, the length of time the tenant can owe his or her rents and measures or steps to be taken before eviction, among others.

He argued that laws are generally meant for the improvement of the society and that the situation was not different in the case of the new Tenancy Law.

Ipaye urged landlords and tenants to conduct their negotiations within the ambit of the law, urging all stakeholders to create a conducive environment for the workability of the law.