Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Enugu State House of Assembly on Tuesday began the first reading of 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 by house agents and Lawyers to those unsuspecting members of the public seeking for for house in Enugu metropolis.
The bill also seek to peg agents fee to 10 per cent of the annual rent payable for the apartment.
“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 per cent of rent paid by the prospective tenant,” the bill said.
Hon. Mbah also proposed 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 per cent of the rent.
The bill also seeks to empower 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.
The bill further proposes that “any person or persons who contravene(s) 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.”
