Lagos State Tenancy Law 2011

Tenants have rights to exclusive possession, privacy, peaceful enjoyment, and 24/7 access to their rented premises. They can also claim compensation for landlord-approved improvements when the tenancy ends.

Tenants must pay rent on time, maintain the interior, avoid structural changes without permission, allow landlord inspections with notice, use premises only for agreed purposes, avoid being a nuisance to neighbors, and return the property in good condition.

Landlords must give exclusive possession, not disturb tenants, maintain common facilities, repair exterior and structural elements (roof, walls, gate), never seize tenant property, and give 7 days notice before disruptive maintenance.

Landlords can collect service charges and security deposits. Security deposits must be refunded at the end of tenancy minus any debts owed. Failure to refund is an offence with N50,000 fine.

Sets minimum notice periods: 1 week (tenant at will), 1 month (monthly), 3 months (quarterly/half-yearly), 6 months (yearly). No notice needed if tenant owes 6+ months rent (monthly) or 1+ year (quarterly). Fixed-term tenancies end automatically but require 7-day court notice.

If a tenant abandons the property without notice, the landlord must post a 7-day written notice at the premises before recovering possession.

After a valid notice to quit expires and tenant refuses to leave, landlord must serve another 7-day notice before going to court. Self-help eviction is not allowed.

Notices can be served by: personal delivery, leaving at last known address, registered post, giving to someone 16+ years at the address, or (for companies) at registered office. Posted notices are deemed served when normally delivered.

Landlords must give 6 months written notice before increasing rent. Tenants who think the increase is excessive can apply to court to have a fair rent determined based on local market rates.

It is a criminal offence to: demolish/alter building to eject tenant, forcibly evict, threaten/molest tenant, damage premises, cut off utilities, lock out tenant, remove fittings, or destroy tenant property. Penalty: N250,000 fine or 6 months imprisonment or both. Helpers also liable.