The Abia State House of Assembly has passed the Abia Property and Tenancy Regulatory Authority Bill into law, introducing major reforms to regulate property transactions, protect tenants and landlords, and sanitise the activities of property agents across the state.

The bill, H.A.B 34, was passed during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Emmanuel Emeruwa, after consideration by the Committee of the Whole.

It was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Augustine Okezie, and another lawmaker, Mandela Obasi.

The new law establishes the Abia State Property and Tenancy Regulatory Authority, which will oversee tenancy matters, regulate property agents and ensure fairness, transparency and accountability in landlord-tenant relationships once it receives the assent of Governor Alex Otti.

The legislation was introduced following repeated complaints by residents, especially in Umuahia and Aba, over rising house rents, arbitrary agency charges and alleged collusion between landlords and property agents to increase rent for residential and commercial buildings.

Under the law, all property agents operating in Abia State must be registered with the regulatory authority before carrying out business.

The law also fixes agency fees at five per cent of the total rent payable, a provision expected to reduce excessive charges often imposed on prospective tenants.

The legislation provides for the inauguration of a governing board after the governor’s assent. The board will be responsible for regulating the activities of property agents, enforcing compliance, maintaining professional standards and addressing complaints relating to property transactions in the state.

The law prescribes stiff penalties for violations. Anyone operating as a property agent without a valid licence will be liable to a fine ranging from ₦1 million to ₦10 million.

It also provides that any licensed or unlicensed agent who defrauds a client, whether a prospective tenant or a landlord, will, upon conviction, face between six and seven years’ imprisonment.

The Assembly said the law is designed not only to protect tenants from exorbitant rents and exploitative practices by landlords and agents, but also to protect landlords where tenants become lawless or violate tenancy agreements.

Speaker Emeruwa, while announcing the passage of the bill, congratulated members of the House and expressed confidence that the law would strengthen property administration in the state and promote order within the real estate sector.

The Assembly also passed a law aimed at improving the criminal justice administration system in the state, with a view to ensuring speedy dispensation of criminal cases before the courts and guaranteeing fair hearing for all parties.

Similarly, the House passed a restorative justice law designed to ensure that persons who cause harm to victims in Abia State are made to take responsibility for their actions.

The passage of the property and tenancy law is expected to address long-standing concerns over arbitrary rent increases, unregistered property agents, excessive agency fees and disputes arising from tenancy agreements, while creating a more transparent and regulated property market in Abia State.

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