Abia Assembly Passes Law to Protect Tenants from Exploitation by Landlords, House Agents

The Abia State House of Assembly has passed a new law establishing the Abia State Property and Tenancy Regulatory Authority, a landmark legislation designed to protect tenants from what lawmakers described as the exorbitant and wicked activities of landlords and house agents in the state.

The bill, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Augustine Okezie, and another lawmaker, Mandela Obasi, was passed during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Emmanuel Emeruwa. The new law became necessary following widespread outcry from tenants in Umuahia and Aba over the high cost of house rent for residential and commercial buildings. It also followed complaints where residents of the two major cities accused house agents of conspiring with landlords to arbitrarily jack up house rent.

The law is designed to protect tenants from any form of exploitation while also safeguarding the rights of landlords in situations where tenants become lawless or violate tenancy agreements. In addition to the property and tenancy legislation, the Assembly also passed a law to improve the criminal administrative system, which would ensure the speedy dispensation of criminal cases before the law courts. The lawmakers said the law would provide fair hearing for all parties in criminal cases. Similarly, the Assembly passed a restorative justice law, requiring anyone who causes harm to victims within Abia State to take responsibility for their violent actions.

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