By IFEOMA AKA

A bill seeking to regulate house agency and legal fees in Enugu State has scaled first reading in the State House of Assembly.

The bill titled, ?Bill for a Law to Amend the Landlord and Tenant Law Cap 101 of Enugu State 2024? was sponsored by the member representing Nkanu East constituency, Mr Okey Mbah.

Mbah said the move was in response to the growing complaints by Enugu State residents over rising exploitation by landlords.

He pointed out that Section 3 (4) provides that no tenant shall be caused to pay any further premium in acquiring any accommodation except legal fee payable to a qualified legal practitioner.

The lawmaker said it must be for the purpose of preparing the landlord and tenant agreement and such fee should not exceed 10 per cent of the rent.

Mbah explained that offence under this bill, when passed, would attract a N500,000 fine or a prison term of six months or both.

He said the bill equally seeks to checkmate the injustice suffered by tenants through forced, irregular, and fraudulent evictions by establishing a legally defined duration for eviction and other relevant notices.

Mbah said that the amended bill which sought to ensure that anyone who wished to be a land agent/manager must be certified by the government.

The first term lawmaker explained that there was a 10 per cent ceiling for both Agency and Legal fees, the percentage can be negotiated lesser but could never be above 10 per cent.

He also explained that the tradition of caution fee should be prohibited.

The legislator however, said that government ministry or agency was given the powers to make further regulations on housing issues in Enugu State.

In his remarks, the Speaker of the assembly, Chief Uche Ugwu, applauded the initiator of the bill describing it as being apt.

Ugwu urged the members to study the bill and get ready for deliberations during the second reading. (NAN)

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