SENATE CONSIDERS BILL TO BAR LANDLORDS FROM COLLECTING ANNUAL RENT

Members of the Senate have proposed a bill seeking to make it an offence for landlords to demand payment of advance rent from tenants of residential and office buildings and spaces beyond three months.
Briefing journalists after plenary, the sponsor of the bill, SMART ADEYEMI said the bill which was laid for first reading during yesterdays legislative proceedings, would enable tenants to make a maximum advance payment of three months rent, with subsequent monthly payments.
He said landlords have been compelling tenants to make one-year and two-year advance rent payments before renting their apartments, which according to him, is not affordable for many Nigerians.
ADEYEMI also noted that the proposed legislation stipulates a maximum advance rent payment of three months and after the expiration of the three-month rent, the tenants are expected to pay monthly.