Tenancy law in Nigeria is governed at both state and federal levels. Learn your legal obligations regarding rent collection, notices, and dispute resolution.
Under statutory tenancy laws (e.g., Lagos Tenancy Law 2011), any landlord or agent who receives rent MUST immediately issue a written receipt. Failure to issue a receipt is a statutory offense punishable under law.
Statutory notice periods for terminating tenancies depend on the tenancy type: Weekly tenancy (7 days), Monthly tenancy (1 month), Quarterly tenancy (3 months), Yearly tenancy (6 months). Notices must strictly conform to statutory drafting rules.
In states like Lagos, it is illegal for a landlord to demand or receive rent in excess of 1 year for a yearly tenant, or more than 6 months for a monthly tenant in residential properties.
Landlords are statutorily obligated to maintain external structural integrity, while tenants are responsible for internal care. Unilateral self-help evictions or utility disconnections by landlords are illegal.