Abuja rent bill advances with proposed 12-month cap on compulsory advance rent
The proposal has passed second reading, but it has not become law or made monthly rent payments compulsory.
The House of Representatives has advanced a bill seeking to prevent landlords and property agents in the Federal Capital Territory from compelling tenants to pay more than 12 months’ rent upfront.
The proposal passed second reading on Wednesday, November 4, according to contemporaneous legislative reports. TheCable’s account of its provisions says the restriction would apply to compulsory advance payments demanded as a condition for granting or renewing a tenancy.
The bill has not become law. Its advancement therefore does not introduce an immediately enforceable payment limit for Abuja landlords and tenants.
What the Abuja rent bill proposes
The Federal Capital Territory Advance Rent Regulation and Tenants’ Protection Bill, 2026, identified as HB.2839, is sponsored by Paul Nnamchi and co-sponsored by Ahmed Doro.
Premium Times reports that the proposal covers residential and commercial tenancies across the FCT and seeks to establish an authority to address rental practices and disputes.
The legislation passed first reading on October 22 before advancing to second reading on November 4.
According to TheCable, its provisions would also target attempts to bypass the proposed restriction through intermediaries, compulsory service charges, artificial tenancy renewals or separate arrangements designed to extract more than one year’s rent upfront.
However, tenants could voluntarily pay beyond 12 months where they initiate the arrangement without coercion, threats, discrimination or retaliation, and the agreement and payment are documented in writing.
Monthly rent payments would not become compulsory
The proposed limit concerns how much rent a tenant could be compelled to pay in advance.
Premium Times’ examination of the bill indicates that it would not require landlords to accept monthly or quarterly payments. A landlord could still insist on one year’s rent upfront under the provisions reviewed.
Nor does a restriction on compulsory advance payments amount to a general ceiling on rental prices.
That distinction matters for households whose earnings arrive monthly but whose accommodation costs must be paid in a lump sum. The proposal could reduce compulsory multi-year demands while leaving the challenge of raising a full year’s rent unresolved.
Agency-fee limits remain unclear
Reports of the legislative debate describe agency-fee regulation as one of the proposal’s objectives. Voice of Nigeria also reports plans for a unified digital register for housing agents.
However, a comprehensive ceiling on agency fees, agreement fees and caution deposits has not been established from the material reviewed for this report.
Premium Times’ examination says the reviewed text requires disclosure of charges but does not prescribe comprehensive maximum amounts for those costs. A restriction on multi-year advance rent should therefore not be interpreted as a ban on agency fees or other tenancy charges.
Lawmakers debate tenant protection and property rights
Presenting the proposal, Nnamchi argued that excessive advance-rent demands put pressure on household savings, small businesses and workers seeking to relocate for employment.
Voice of Nigeria reports that he presented the measure as an effort to create a fairer rental framework while protecting the interests of landlords and tenants.
The debate nevertheless exposed differences over the extent of government intervention in housing transactions, including concerns about property rights and commercial freedom, according to Premium Times.
Further legislative consideration is required. The final provisions on advance payments, additional charges, enforcement and dispute resolution will determine the extent of any protection ultimately available to FCT tenants.
