Delta Assembly Targets Rent Disputes, Illegal Evictions With New Tenancy Bill
By GEORGETTE CHIDI
Old Rent Law Faces Replacement
A 49-year-old tenancy law in Delta State could soon give way to a new legal framework as the State House of Assembly advances the Delta State Tenancy and Recovery of Premises Bill, 2026.
The Assembly gave the proposed legislation its first reading on Wednesday 30 September, marking another step towards reforming the state’s rules on residential tenancy and recovery of premises.
However, the bill must still pass further legislative stages before it can become law.
Lawmakers Seek Clearer Rules
The proposed legislation is designed to address several areas that frequently generate disputes between property owners and occupants.
For tenants, the bill proposes clearer statutory requirements for quit notices and stronger safeguards against unlawful eviction.
Meanwhile, landlords would receive a defined legal route for recovering properties from tenants who fail to meet their rental obligations.
The proposed framework therefore seeks to replace uncertainty with clearer procedures for both parties.
Self-Help Eviction Targeted
One notable feature of the proposal is its proposed restriction on self-help eviction.
Under the provisions outlined in the bill, landlords would face penalties for measures such as removing roofs, cutting off electricity or water, or using harassment to force tenants from their homes.
Instead, property owners would be expected to rely on established legal procedures when seeking possession.
A New Framework for Property Recovery
Beyond tenant protection, the proposed law also focuses on the recovery of premises.
It seeks faster court procedures for landlords dealing with defaulting or recalcitrant tenants.
At the same time, the proposed framework is intended to create conditions that could encourage investment in additional housing while providing legal safeguards for tenants.
The Assembly had previously considered the bill before withdrawing it for amendments.
According to Speaker Guwor, lawmakers used that period to strengthen its provisions and make the proposed legislation more comprehensive and enforceable.
Public Hearing Still to Come
The motion for the bill’s reintroduction was moved by House Leader Emeka Nwaobi and seconded by Anthony Alapala.
Although lawmakers have now completed the first reading, the process is far from over.
Guwor deferred the second reading to a subsequent sitting, when members will debate the bill’s general principles.
Thereafter, the relevant committee is expected to scrutinise the provisions and conduct a public hearing before the legislative process proceeds further.
For now, therefore, the 1977 Rent Control and Recovery of Residential Premises Law remains the existing framework. The proposed 2026 bill would repeal it only if it completes the legislative process and receives the required assent.
