Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have welcomed a proposed bill seeking to prohibit landlords from demanding more than one year’s rent in advance, saying it could ease the financial burden on tenants facing rising accommodation costs.
The Federal Capital Territory Advance Rent Regulation and Tenants’ Protection Bill, 2026 (HB 2839), sponsored by Paul Nnamchi and co-sponsored by Ahmed Doro, passed its first reading in the House of Representatives on October 22.
The proposed legislation seeks to prohibit landlords, estate agents and property managers from demanding more than 12 months’ rent as a condition for granting or renewing a tenancy in the FCT.
The bill comes amid concerns over high rents in Abuja, where tenants often face demands for one or two years’ rent upfront, alongside agency, agreement and other housing-related charges.
Tenants Welcome Proposed Rent Regulation
Some residents said the proposed restriction could make it easier for workers and families to secure accommodation without exhausting their savings or borrowing money.
Mitchel Istifanus, a tenant in Kubwa, described the bill as a welcome development, noting that many residents struggle to raise the large sums required to rent apartments.
“I think this is a very good development because many of us are struggling to pay rent in Abuja. Some landlords demand two years’ rent upfront, and not everybody can afford that amount at once,” she said.
Istifanus added that effective implementation could provide relief and improve access to accommodation.
Similarly, Samuel Eze, another Kubwa resident, said paying two years’ rent upfront often forced tenants to exhaust their savings or take loans, leaving them with little money for other essential expenses.
He said limiting advance rent payments to one year could help workers manage their finances more effectively.
In Gwarimpa, civil servant Sanusi Ridwan said his room-and-parlour apartment’s rent rose from ₦450,000 to ₦1.5 million within four years, while his salary remained unchanged.
“Raising one year’s rent is hard enough. Two or three years is almost impossible for many of us,” he said.
Sarah Victor, a resident of Karsana, said she had left two apartments within four years because she could not meet successive rent demands and agency fees.
Other tenants, including Aisha Fatima and Mohammed Abdullahi of Lugbe, said the proposed regulation could help residents plan their finances. Abdullahi disclosed that paying two years’ rent at once had forced him to take a loan.
Bill Seeks To Prevent Circumvention
Beyond limiting advance rent payments, the bill seeks to prevent landlords and their agents from circumventing the proposed restriction through compulsory service charges, separate agreements, artificial tenancy renewals or other arrangements that force tenants to pay beyond the permitted period.
The proposed legislation also provides for tenants to voluntarily offer more than 12 months’ rent, provided the arrangement originates from the tenant, involves no coercion and is documented in writing.
It further proposes establishing an FCT Rent Regulation and Tenants’ Protection Authority to monitor compliance, investigate complaints, resolve disputes and order refunds of unlawful payments.
Under the proposal, individual landlords who violate the provisions could face fines ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million, while corporate bodies could face penalties of between ₦5 million and ₦20 million.
However, the bill remains a proposal and would need to complete the legislative process before becoming law.
Landlords Raise Concerns Over Financial Obligations
While many tenants welcomed the proposed regulation, some residents and property owners warned that restricting advance payments could create financial challenges for landlords.
Grace Danjuma expressed concern that some landlords might increase annual rents to compensate for losing the option of collecting payments covering multiple years.
She urged the government to introduce measures to monitor arbitrary rent increases, arguing that limiting advance payments might offer little relief if annual rents continued to rise unchecked.
Another resident argued that landlords should retain the option of accepting longer-term payments when tenants are willing and able to pay.
A property owner in Gwarimpa, Mallam Ibrahim, said collecting two years’ rent helped some landlords service loans and maintain their properties amid rising construction costs.
“Construction costs have gone up. Many of us take loans to build. Collecting rent for two years helps us service those loans and maintain the houses. The law should also consider our side,” he said.
A landlord in Wuye, who requested anonymity, similarly argued that voluntary longer-term payments should remain possible where both parties agree without coercion.
Residents Call For Flexible Payment Options
Some tenants also called for more flexible rent payment arrangements, including monthly, quarterly and six-monthly options.
Ene Paul, a tenant in Nyanya, said workers who depend on monthly salaries often struggle to raise a full year’s rent at once while meeting other financial obligations.
Other residents argued that advance rent regulation alone would not resolve Abuja’s housing affordability challenges.
They called on the government to prioritise affordable housing for workers and strengthen enforcement against unlawful charges and arbitrary rent increases.
High accommodation costs have also forced some people working in Abuja to relocate to distant communities in neighbouring areas in search of more affordable housing.
Affordable Housing Remains A Key Concern
The proposed legislation has generated discussions about how to protect tenants while allowing landlords to meet property maintenance costs and other financial obligations.
Supporters say limiting advance rent payments could reduce the amount tenants need to raise before securing accommodation. However, residents have also stressed the importance of affordable housing supply, transparent tenancy agreements and effective enforcement.
The bill’s eventual impact will depend on its passage into law, the final provisions adopted by lawmakers and the effectiveness of the proposed regulatory framework.
