₦airaland Forum

Hi Famililanders, I need your advice, please.
Here’s my story: I moved into my apartment on June 1st, 2024. Before I moved in, the former tenant told me she had been paying ₦130k for rent, but she mentioned that the landlord was planning to increase it🤔. I kept that in mind.

When she moved out, I met with the landlord and begged him to let me continue with the ₦130k rent (you know, times are hard). But the man refused. I even tried to negotiate ₦140k, but he said, “Nope!” So, I had no choice but to pay the ₦150k he asked for🥺.

Fast forward, I just got a letter from his agent saying that when my rent expires (mind you, it hasn’t even been six months), my rent is going up to ₦180k for renewal😭. That’s almost a ₦30k jump for a one-room self-contained apartment. I didn’t sign any tenancy agreement with him—I just paid the rent and got a receipt.

Please, is this legal? Can he just decide to increase my rent for next year, irrespective of the fact that I am a new tenant, especially after all my pleading😩? I need to know my rights and what this could mean.

Help me o, before I start packing my load!

Legal Insight 👩‍⚖️
Yes, the landlord can increase her rent for the next year, even if she is a new tenant. However, there are legal conditions attached to such an increase under Nigerian law:

👉Tenancy renewal and rent increases:When her rent expires, it is considered the start of a new tenancy. The landlord has the right to propose new terms, including an increase in rent. However, this must be done fairly and in line with proper legal procedures.

There's No "Exemption" for New Tenants, being a relatively new tenant does not exempt her from a rent increase when renewing the tenancy. Once her current rent period expires, she is subject to any new terms the landlord introduces for the next period.

👉Reasonable notice requirement, according to the Landlord and Tenant Laws in most Nigerian states (e.g., Lagos and Abuja), the landlord must give reasonable notice of any rent increase. For a yearly tenant like her, this means giving at least three months' notice before the current tenancy expires. If the landlord does not provide this notice, she can challenge the rent increase.

👉 No limit on rent increases, the law does not set a cap on how much rent can increase, landlords are expected to act reasonably. A ₦30,000 increase in one year (20%) might feel excessive, but it is not automatically illegal. She can negotiate with the landlord or explore other options.

What She Can Do:
Negotiate: Before her rent expires, she can try discussing with the landlord to reduce the increase.
Plan Ahead: If the landlord insists on the ₦180,000 and it is beyond her budget, she may need to look for a more affordable apartment before the current tenancy ends.

The rent increase is legal as long as proper notice is given and the landlord follows the law.

Bobodee09:
➜Don't engage him at all.....just play along. When is time for renewal send 150k, tell him that what you have and if he reject tell him to send your money back, then he has to give you 3months to get another place. He wont have any choice than to take the 150k trust me.

Bobodee09:
Don't engage him at all.....just play along.

When is time for renewal send 150k, tell him that what you have and if he reject tell him to send your money back, then he has to give you 3months to get another place.

He wont have any choice than to take the 150k trust me.

demoBaba:
Who told you all this... there's no free rent anywhere, even the three mouths he wanted to request for, he must pay for it. He should just settle with his landlord or move out.

Viserion:
Take the Landlord to court

Bobodee09:
Don't engage him at all.....just play along.

When is time for renewal send 150k, tell him that what you have and if he reject tell him to send your money back, then he has to give you 3months to get another place.

He wont have any choice than to take the 150k trust me.

Nairalander248:
Who is this one? For person property? They even follow protocols to inform you ahead... This is not best advice...

Free2Fly:
On what ground exactly?
Even if they signed any contract, it would be for the current annual rent.
This increment is for the next annual rent which isn't covered by any previous contract signed
And that 6months advance notice has solidified the landlord's position.
He won't be found guilty in any way.

Bobodee09:
So the landlord is right to increase rent every year??

Bobodee09:
Well I never knew you are his landlord.......if he doesn't pay kindly shot him since you are so pained.

Bobodee09:
So is own the property he should be increasing the rent every year without any major reason

So if he pays 180 this year...next rent it will be increased to 210.
From 130 to 150 to 180.....isn't that callous.

Tenant also has there own right......only wicked people will support landlord increasing rent every year.

Bobodee09:
So is own the property he should be increasing the rent every year without any major reason

So if he pays 180 this year...next rent it will be increased to 210.
From 130 to 150 to 180.....isn't that callous.

Tenant also has there own right......only wicked people will support landlord increasing rent every year.

Dtruthspeaker:
Tenants right only starts when you are a tenant. And the way to be a tenant is to pay the rent demanded by the landlord.

So, yes it is wicked that rent is increased every year. however rent is based on the overall economy. and the availability of accommodation. So blame your kings who promised you "housing for all" since year 2000 and till today, nothing.

Nairalander248:
It's not by force to live in person house... Tenant has right only when the process were not followed... They gave you notice of increment 6months to the expiration of your rent, it's enough time to start looking for another place or you agree...

When you build your own house, you can give it for free.

Bobodee09:
So the landlord is right to increase rent every year??

Free2Fly:
Agreements are signed yearly and are limited to that particular year. What happens in the succeeding year is none of the tenant's business
His rights don't extend their, as long as he's given adequate time to make a choice.

Dtruthspeaker:
Wrong!
Agreements run as long as the 2 parties are still having the relationship of landlord and tenant which is why it says "during the pendency of this tenancy".

Celestialsword:
The landlord is the owner of the property,he has the right to do whatever he wishes with it.

He even informed you in advance about the increment,if you know you cannot it, you better start looking for another place before your money expires.

Free2Fly:
Agreements are signed yearly and are limited to that particular year. What happens in the succeeding year is none of the tenant's business
His rights don't extend their, as long as he's given adequate time to make a choice.

Bobodee09:
Don't engage him at all.....just play along.

When is time for renewal send 150k, tell him that what you have and if he reject tell him to send your money back, then he has to give you 3months to get another place.

He wont have any choice than to take the 150k trust me.

Nazgul:
The landlord gave him over 6 months notice of the Increment which the op confirmed here. Yet you went him to pay 150k and ask for another 3 months to find another place.

Op if you follow this advice you'll end up on the streets cos they'll throw your things out and you don't have any case in court cos you were informed.

Bobodee09:
Even if the landlord inform him 3yrs before it only someone wicked that will support any landlord increasing rent every here.

It seems most of you here are still staying in your parents house cos I don't think anyone one paying rent will have any issh with my advise to him.

Free2Fly:
"During the pendency of this tenancy" is referring to the defined length of time the tenancy agreement covers.
It's not indefinite.
In most cases, it's annually.