Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has moved to curb excessive agency and legal fees in the state’s property market by forwarding an executive bill to the State House of Assembly to amend the existing Landlord and Tenant Law.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu, disclosed this in a Facebook post on Monday, October 26, 2026, saying the proposed amendment seeks to review the Landlord and Tenant Law, Cap. 101, Revised Laws of Enugu State, 2004.
Ugwu also recalled that a similar bill sponsored by the member representing Nkanu East State Constituency, Hon. Anthony Okey Mbah, had already passed first and second readings, with a public hearing held on the floor of the House.
According to the Speaker, the proposed legislation is expected to make tenancy charges more transparent and predictable, regulate estate agents, limit agency and legal fees, and establish a structured process for handling caution fees and refunds.
The bill also seeks to reduce disputes over property damage through joint inventories and professional valuations where necessary, while checking arbitrary rent increases and preserving an enabling environment for investment in the housing sector.
“When we are done with dotting the (i’s) and crossing the (t’s), we shall have a document that shall make tenancy related charges more transparent and predictable, control and limit agency and legal fees, establish a formal regulatory framework for agents, provide a structured mechanism for handling caution fees and refunds, reduce disputes over property damage through joint inventories and professional valuations where necessary and put arbitrary rent increases on check, while creating enabling environment for investors in the housing sector,” Ugwu stated.
The proposed amendment comes amid concerns over the cost and terms of renting properties, with the planned reforms intended to provide clearer rules for landlords, tenants and property agents.
Linking the initiative to the state government’s broader development agenda, the Speaker said the reforms aligned with Governor Mbah’s ambition to make Enugu more attractive to businesses, investors, tourists and residents.
“According to the Governor’s vision, indeed we can make Enugu the preferred destination for business, investment, tourism and living,” Ugwu added.
