In a move widely welcomed by struggling tenants across Nigeria, the House of Representatives has proposed a new bill seeking to cap rent increases at no more than 20% within a specific period. The proposal, described as a bold step toward addressing the country’s growing housing crisis, aims to protect tenants from exploitative rent hikes by landlords, especially in major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
The bill, titled the Rent Regulation and Tenancy Control Bill, 2025, was sponsored by Honourable Aliyu Mustapha from Kaduna North Federal Constituency. It seeks to establish clear legal parameters for rent increment and strengthen tenants’ protection against arbitrary or excessive charges that have worsened Nigeria’s cost-of-living crisis.
“Rent should not be a sentence for poverty or homelessness,” Mustapha said during the plenary session. “This bill is about fairness, balance, and ensuring that both landlords and tenants coexist within a framework of mutual respect and responsibility.”
According to the draft legislation, landlords will not be allowed to increase rent by more than 20% of the existing rate within any two-year period. The bill also proposes that all rent agreements be formally documented, with transparent clauses that both parties can understand and consent to.
Key provisions include:
- A 20% cap on rent increases within a two-year window.
- Mandatory written tenancy agreements for all rented properties.
- A penalty clause for landlords or agents who violate the stipulated rent increase limit.
- The establishment of a National Rent Control Board to oversee and mediate disputes.
- Prohibition of advance rent collection beyond one year for residential properties.
If passed into law, the measure could become one of the most tenant-friendly housing legislations in Nigeria’s recent history addressing decades of unregulated rent practices that have forced many low and middle-income earners into debt or homelessness.
Nigeria’s rental market has spiraled out of control in recent years, with reports showing rent increases of 40–100% in many urban centers since 2022. The combination of inflation, currency depreciation, and limited affordable housing has made renting a home an increasingly painful experience for millions of Nigerians.
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), housing costs account for nearly 50% of urban household expenditure, making it the single largest expense for most families.
For example, in Abuja, the cost of a modest two-bedroom apartment has doubled in the past three years. In Lagos, some tenants have seen annual rent jump from ₦800,000 to ₦1.5 million or more a staggering burden amid stagnant wages.
“The current rent system is unsustainable,” said, a real estate economist at the University of Lagos. “What the National Assembly is attempting is long overdue. Nigerians are being priced out of their own cities, and this bill could restore some equilibrium.”
The House of Representatives emphasized that the bill is not intended to punish landlords but to introduce a fair regulatory balance.
Chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Ibrahim Kolo, said the goal is to “curb arbitrary rent exploitation” while still allowing property owners to benefit reasonably from their investments.
“No one is saying landlords should not make profit,” Kolo said. “But what we cannot continue to allow is a system where rent is increased at will sometimes by 50% or even 100% without consideration for economic realities. This bill brings discipline to a sector that directly affects the dignity and stability of millions of Nigerian families.”
The proposed rent control measure has elicited mixed reactions across the real estate and housing sectors. While many tenants have hailed it as a “lifeline,” some landlords and property developers argue that it could discourage investment in the already fragile housing market.
A Lagos-based property developer, expressed concern that the bill might “discourage new housing projects” if rental returns are capped too tightly. “Developers face rising construction costs cement, steel, and labor are not capped at 20%,” he said. “The government should address inflation and building materials first before rent.”
However, tenant advocacy groups and civil society organizations have applauded the move, saying it’s a necessary intervention to protect citizens from exploitation. The Nigeria Tenants’ Rights Initiative (NTRI) called the bill a “historic step toward restoring dignity and fairness” in the housing market.
“We have seen landlords increase rent simply because they can not because of any improvements to the property,” said NTRI spokesperson, “This bill brings justice to tenants who have suffered in silence for years.”
Experts warn that while the proposal is noble, implementation may prove difficult. Nigeria’s rental sector is largely informal, with minimal data tracking and weak enforcement of tenancy laws across states.
A housing policy expert, suggested that the success of the new bill would depend on collaboration between federal and state governments. “Without proper enforcement mechanisms and data-driven rent monitoring systems, the bill could become another beautiful law on paper,” he noted.
The Rent Regulation and Tenancy Control Bill also proposes collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Housing and state rent tribunals to ensure consistent enforcement and dispute resolution nationwide.
Nigeria faces a housing deficit estimated at over 20 million units, according to the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria. This shortage continues to drive up rents, especially in high-demand areas.
To complement the rent control initiative, lawmakers have urged the government to increase public-private partnerships to build affordable homes, expand mortgage accessibility, and revitalize urban housing programs.
“The rent control bill is a short-term relief,” said Mustapha. “But the long-term solution lies in expanding access to affordable housing. The government must invest in new homes, not just regulate existing ones.”
If passed, the Rent Regulation and Tenancy Control Bill could reshape Nigeria’s housing landscape by protecting tenants from exploitative rent hikes while promoting transparency and fairness in the rental market.
For millions of Nigerians struggling to afford decent shelter, this proposal offers a glimmer of hope and a reminder that housing is not just an economic issue, but a matter of human dignity.
As the bill moves to the committee stage for further debate, many citizens are watching closely, hoping that this time, the House’s promises will translate into genuine relief from the relentless burden of rent.
