A bill to spell out rights and obligations of tenants and landlords under tenancy agreements in Kogi on Wednesday passed its second reading at the state House of Assembly.
This followed the presentation of a private member bill by the Minority Leader of the house, Mr Solomon Afolabi.
Afolabi said the bill also spelt out the procedure for recovery of premises and other matters connected therewith.
He said the law would further bring relief to civil servants and the public suffering untold hardship in the hands of Shylock landlords in the state.
The lawmaker said that makeshift structures, though without basic facilities, had become the order of the day.
According to him, many landlords demand exorbitant rents, making life unbearable for many civil servants who could not benefit from government accommodations given out on owner-occupier arrangement.
He said the bill would address the challenges and specify procedures for service payments and other charges.
Other issues contained in the bill include notice and length of notice, claims against unlawful occupation, offences and penalties, procedures and grounds to recover possession as well as payment of arrears of rent.
It will be recalled that the Speaker of the house, Alhaji Lawal Momoh-Jimoh, adjourned debate on merits and demerits of the bill and clause-by-clause consideration to another date.(NAN)
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