Delta Assembly debates Landlord–Tenant Control Bill 2025, as Hon. Perkins Umukoro describes it as ‘The People’s Bill’

By Endurance Ikanone

The Delta State House of Assembly has deliberated extensively on the Landlord and Tenant Control Bill, 2025, a legislative proposal aimed at promoting fairness, accountability, and balance in the state’s housing and tenancy system.

Presiding over the plenary, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, commended the sponsors of the Bill for their foresight and responsiveness to the plight of residents across the state. He described the proposed legislation as a bold step toward stabilizing the rental sector and ensuring a just framework for both landlords and tenants.

The Speaker noted that the Bill reflects the Assembly’s commitment to addressing the rising cost of rent and the growing housing challenges faced by Deltans, especially in urban centres like Asaba, Warri, and Sapele. He emphasized that the legislature would give the Bill accelerated consideration due to its direct impact on the welfare of the people.

Leading the debate, the Chief Whip of the House and Member representing Sapele Constituency, Hon. Perkins Umukoro, who co-sponsored the Bill alongside the Majority Leader and Member representing Aniocha North Constituency, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, described it as “The People’s Bill.”

Hon. Umukoro said the proposed legislation seeks to regulate and control landlord–tenant relationships, prevent arbitrary rent increases, limit agency fees, and reduce the financial burden on tenants across the state. According to him, the measure would not only protect tenants but also promote fairness and transparency in the state’s housing market.

He explained that the Bill provides that real estate agents should not charge more than five percent of the total rent as agency fees. For residential properties, tenants should not be compelled to pay more than one year’s rent in advance, while for commercial properties, the advance payment should not exceed three months.

It also seeks to prevent indiscriminate rent hikes by ensuring that any increment follows due process and remains within reasonable limits.

Hon. Umukoro further stressed that the Bill is designed as a social intervention tool to cushion the economic pressure on residents and curb exploitative practices in the rental market. He urged his colleagues to support the passage of the Bill to provide relief for thousands of tenants struggling under harsh economic realities.

The Landlord and Tenant Control Bill, 2025 passed second reading after receiving overwhelming support from members. It has been referred to the joint Committees on Housing, Urban Renewal, and Women Affairs & Humanitarian Support Services for further legislative scrutiny.