Reps move to stop Abuja landlords from collecting advance rent, agency fees

The House of Representatives has advanced a bill aimed at curbing landlords and estate agents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from coercing tenants into paying advance rent and exorbitant agency fees. The bill, titled the Federal Capital Territory Advance Rent Regulation and Tenants Protection Bill, 2026, was introduced by Rep. Paul Nnamchi from Enugu and co-sponsored by Rep. Ahmed Doro from Katsina.

Under the proposed legislation, no landlord, estate agent, or property manager in Abuja can demand, receive, or compel tenants to pay more than twelve months' rent upfront for a house or rent renewal. The law will apply to both residential and commercial properties within the FCT. Lawmakers argue that unscrupulous landlords and agents often employ deceptive tactics, such as compulsory service charges, agreement fees, and false renewal agreements, to collect more than a year's rent from tenants.

The bill seeks to eliminate these practices by prohibiting such illegal demands and fees. It also proposes to regulate agency and agreement fees, which tenants claim can reach up to 25 percent of the monthly rent. Furthermore, the legislation aims to establish a digital register for all housing agents operating in Abuja.

To ensure effective enforcement of the law, the bill establishes a new regulatory body called the FCT Rent Regulation and Tenants Protection Authority. This body will receive complaints, conduct investigations, and order landlords to refund any illegally collected amounts within a 30-day period. The bill imposes fines ranging from N500,000 to N5 million for individual landlords or agents in violation of the law. Companies found guilty of the same offense could be fined between N5 million and N20 million.