The Delta State House of Assembly has assured the public that the proposed Landlord and Tenant Bill currently under consideration will receive comprehensive legislative scrutiny to ensure it aligns with modern housing realities and guarantees fairness for both property owners and tenants across the state.
The assurance came from the Chairman of the House Joint Committee on Housing, Women Affairs, Girl Child Entrepreneurship and Humanitarian Support Services, and the Committee on Urban Renewal, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, during a public hearing held at the Assembly Press Centre in Asaba.
Declaring the hearing open, Hon. Anyafulu explained that the bill seeks to establish a transparent legal framework for housing relationships by defining the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of landlords, tenants, and estate agents. She noted that the bill would repeal the outdated Rent Control and Recovery of Premises Law of 1977, replacing it with a more robust legal instrument that reflects the current social and economic realities in Delta State.
Anyafulu emphasized that the Assembly remains committed to public participation and accountability, assuring that all submissions made during the hearing will be critically examined before the bill’s passage. “We are determined to enact a law that balances the interests of landlords and tenants while promoting peaceful coexistence and sustainable urban development,” she said.
Key stakeholders—including representatives from the Customary Court of Appeal, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Urban and Regional Planning, Association of Tenants and Agents, and the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers—made detailed presentations, suggesting amendments to strengthen the bill’s enforcement and dispute resolution mechanisms.
Among lawmakers present were House Leader Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, Hon. Oloye Pereotu, Hon. Ferguson Onwo, Hon. Austine Uroye, Hon. Mathew Omonade, and Hon. Bernard Odior. The hearing also attracted officials from relevant ministries and housing professionals from within and outside Asaba, reflecting broad stakeholder engagement in shaping Delta’s new housing policy framework.
