House Assembly Passes Law To Regulate House Rent, Protect Tenants And Landlords

The Abia State House of Assembly, presided over by the Speaker, Emmanuel Emeruwa, has passed the Abia State Property and Tenancy Regulatory Authority Bill, H.A.B 34, into law.

The bill was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Augustine Okezie, and lawmaker, Mandela Obasi.

The new law establishes the Abia State Property and Tenancy Regulatory Authority to protect tenants in the state from exorbitant rents and exploitative practices by landlords and house agents.

It also seeks to protect the rights of landlords in cases where tenants become lawless or violate tenancy agreements.

The law became necessary following public outcry in Umuahia and Aba over the high cost of rent for residential and commercial properties.

Residents of the two major cities had also accused house agents of conspiring with landlords to arbitrarily increase house rent.

*Assembly Passes Two Other Bills*

The House also passed a bill to reform the criminal justice administration system to ensure speedy dispensation of criminal cases in courts.

According to the Assembly, the law will guarantee fair hearing for all parties in criminal proceedings.

In the same sitting, the Assembly passed the Justice Restorative Law. The law compels anyone who causes harm to victims in Abia State to take responsibility for their violent actions.