Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Lagos & Abuja

Most landlord and tenant problems in Nigeria start with a tenancy agreement that was copied from a template, never signed or does not say what happens when something goes wrong. They end with a dispute over rent, a refused deposit, a building that needs repair, or a tenant who will not leave. Our landlord and tenant lawyers help you get the agreement right at the start and resolve the dispute quickly and lawfully if one arises.

We act for individual landlords, families, property companies, estate managers and developers, and for residential tenants, businesses and multinationals renting homes, offices, shops, warehouses and industrial premises.

Who we act for

• Landlords letting houses, flats and estates, including Nigerians abroad who let property at home

• Property companies, developers and estate managers with portfolios of residential or commercial units

• Residential tenants renting homes in Lagos and Abuja

• Businesses leasing offices, shops, warehouses, factories and serviced space

• Multinationals and embassies renting staff housing and offices

Residential tenancies

• Tenancy agreements that set out rent, deposit, repairs, service charge, use and notice periods clearly

• Advice to landlords on rent in advance, receipts, deposits, rent increases and the obligations the law imposes on them

• Advice to tenants before signing, and on their rights during the tenancy and when it ends

• Short-let and serviced apartment terms, and the rules that apply to them

Commercial leases

• Office, retail and industrial leases, including shopping mall and anchor tenant leases

• Rent reviews, currency and service charge provisions that work for both sides

• Fit-out, alterations and reinstatement at the end of the lease

• Break clauses, renewal options, subletting and assignment

• Governor's consent, stamping and registration of longer leases; see Governor's consent

Landlord and tenant disputes

We resolve disputes over:

• unpaid rent, arrears and mesne profits

• rent increases and rent reviews

• refund of security deposits and service charges

• repairs, maintenance and the condition of the premises

• unauthorised subletting, change of use and alterations

• harassment, lock-outs, disconnection of utilities and unlawful eviction

Many disputes can be resolved by negotiation or mediation, including through the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse and the Lagos State Citizens' Mediation Centre, which is faster and cheaper than going to court. Where they cannot, we act in the Magistrates' Courts and the High Court.

Recovery of premises

A landlord who wants a tenant to leave must follow the recovery of premises procedure. Self-help evictions, such as changing the locks, removing a tenant's belongings or cutting off utilities, are unlawful and can lead to a claim for damages. We handle each step:

1. Review: confirming the type of tenancy, whether the Lagos Tenancy Law applies, and the ground for recovery, such as the end of the tenancy or rent arrears

2. Notice to quit: preparing and serving a notice of the correct length, from one week for a tenancy at will to six months for a yearly tenancy

3. Notice of owner's intention: serving the seven-day statutory notice once the notice to quit has expired

4. Court proceedings: claiming possession, rent arrears and mesne profits in the Magistrates' Court or the High Court

5. Enforcement: obtaining a warrant for possession, carried out by court officials, and recovering the money judgment

Defective notices are the most common reason landlords lose possession cases, so we prepare them carefully. For commercial premises, we also deal with forfeiture clauses, service charges and fixtures. For tenants, we check whether the notices are valid, defend the claim and act against unlawful eviction or harassment.

For the full procedure, read our guide on how to evict a tenant in Lagos and Abuja.

Landlord and tenant law in Lagos

Most tenancies in Lagos are governed by the Lagos State Tenancy Law 2011. The Law applies throughout the state except Apapa, Ikeja GRA, Ikoyi and Victoria Island, where the general law and the tenancy agreement apply instead. Under the Law:

• a landlord may not demand more than one year's rent in advance from a new tenant, or more than six months' rent from a sitting tenant, for residential premises

• the landlord must issue a receipt for rent paid

• the length of a notice to quit depends on the type of tenancy, from one week for a tenancy at will to six months for a yearly tenancy

• after the notice to quit expires, the landlord must serve a seven-day notice of intention to recover possession before going to court

• possession claims are heard in the Magistrates' Courts or the High Court, depending on the rental value

Landlord and tenant law in Abuja

In the FCT, the Recovery of Premises Act governs notices and proceedings for recovering possession, and the tenancy agreement sets most other terms. The notice periods and the seven-day notice of owner's intention follow a similar structure to Lagos, and possession claims are brought in the FCT Magistrates' Courts or the High Court. Commercial leases in Abuja's central districts are often granted by developers holding a head lease or Certificate of Occupancy, so tenants should check the landlord's title before signing a long lease.

Fees

We prepare tenancy agreements and leases for a fixed fee, and give a written estimate for disputes and recovery of premises before any step is taken. Landlords with several properties can retain us for their tenancy documents, notices and arrears on agreed terms.

Related services

• Real estate conveyancing and advisory

• Debt recovery for large rent arrears