The House of Representatives has introduced a bill seeking to prohibit landlords, estate agents and property managers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from compelling tenants to pay more than one year’s rent in advance, amid growing concerns over rising accommodation costs and exploitative rental practices.
The proposed legislation, titled the Federal Capital Territory Advance Rent Regulation and Tenants’ Protection Bill, 2026 (HB. 2839), passed its First Reading during plenary on Thursday, October 22, 2026.
Sponsored by Hon. Prof. Paul Nnamchi, representing Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency, with Ahmed Doro, representing Bindawa/Mani Federal Constituency of Katsina State, as co-sponsor, the bill seeks to introduce a regulatory framework for residential and commercial tenancy arrangements across the FCT.
The proposed legislation is designed to address the practice of demanding one or two years’ rent upfront, which has increasingly placed financial pressure on individuals and households seeking accommodation in Abuja and its surrounding satellite towns.
According to details of the bill, landlords, estate agents, property managers and other persons acting on behalf of landlords would be prohibited from demanding, receiving or compelling tenants to pay more than 12 months’ rent in advance as a condition for securing, renewing or continuing a tenancy.
The proposed restriction would also cover attempts to circumvent the provision through compulsory service charges, additional payments, artificial renewal of tenancy agreements or other arrangements designed to make tenants pay more than one year’s rent upfront.
However, the bill does not completely prohibit tenants from paying more than 12 months’ rent in advance. It provides that such payments may be made where the tenant voluntarily initiates the arrangement, without coercion or pressure from the landlord, and the agreement is properly documented in writing.
Proposed rent regulatory authority
A major provision of the bill is the proposed establishment of the Federal Capital Territory Rent Regulation and Tenants’ Protection Authority, which would be responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the new regulatory framework.
The proposed authority would have powers to receive and investigate complaints from tenants, monitor the activities of landlords, estate agents and property managers, issue compliance notices and facilitate mediation in tenancy disputes.
It would also be empowered to order refunds where landlords or their agents are found to have collected rent in violation of the proposed law.
Under the proposed arrangement, the authority could direct a landlord or agent to refund an unlawful payment within 30 days of receiving the relevant order.
The bill further proposes the establishment of complaint offices and electronic reporting channels across the FCT, including its satellite towns, to enable tenants to report violations and seek redress.
It also seeks to introduce a public register of letting agents, where registration is required, as part of efforts to improve accountability and regulate the activities of property intermediaries.
Landlords, agents face proposed fines of up to ₦20m
The proposed legislation prescribes financial penalties for individuals and corporate bodies found guilty of violating its provisions.
Under the bill, individuals who knowingly demand or receive more than the permitted advance rent could face fines ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million.
Corporate bodies found guilty of similar violations could be fined between N5 million and ₦20 million.
The proposed law also provides for possible refunds and compensation for tenants who suffer financial losses as a result of unlawful rental practices.
Beyond advance rent payments, the legislation seeks to address unlawful eviction practices by prohibiting landlords from using threats, violence, disconnection of essential services, removal or destruction of tenants’ belongings, changing locks without lawful authority and other forms of self-help to force tenants out of their properties.
However, the proposed provisions do not take away landlords’ rights to recover outstanding rent or reclaim possession of their properties. Such actions would have to be undertaken through legally recognised procedures.
Rising accommodation costs in Abuja
The bill comes against the backdrop of persistent complaints over the rising cost of accommodation in Abuja, where prospective tenants often face substantial financial demands before securing residential properties.
A PREMIUM TIMES report in July 2025 highlighted the difficulties faced by residents across the FCT, including arbitrary rent increases and additional charges for agency, agreement and caution fees.
Some residents reportedly had to relocate from their existing neighbourhoods to cheaper areas, often with poorer infrastructure and longer commuting distances, as the cost of accommodation continued to rise.
The proposed legislation is therefore seeking to address one of the major financial barriers confronting tenants: the requirement to raise substantial sums of money at once to secure or retain accommodation.
Not yet law
Despite passing its First Reading, HB. 2839 has not become law. It must still pass through subsequent legislative stages, including Second Reading, committee consideration and Third Reading, before being transmitted for presidential assent.
The First Reading formally introduces a bill to the House and does not amount to approval of its provisions.
According to legislative tracking information available as of October 30, the bill is awaiting its Second Reading.
If eventually passed and assented to, the proposed legislation would introduce a framework for regulating advance rent payments and tenancy practices in the FCT, while providing tenants with additional channels for reporting violations and seeking remedies.
- Reps Advance FCT Rent Regulation and Tenants’ Protection Bill - October 30, 2026
- INEC Receives 130 Petitions Over 2027 Candidates’ Lists, Approves 66 - October 30, 2026
- Okorocha Hails Court Judgment Against Uzodimma As Victory for Democracy - October 30, 2026