NewStats: 3,259,525 , 8,170,424 topics. Date: Sunday, 25 May 2025 at 01:03 PM 1h3s29

Venerable612:

Under the the Abuja RPA for example:
The 6 Months Notice to Quit MUST BE GIVEN BEFORE the expiration of the Rent... and the 6 Months must end on or before the eve of the Rent’s expiration.

What if I no longer want the tenant in my house after his rent expires by end of March 2020? What type of notice can one give, seeing that I no longer have 6 months?

jerflakes:
Quit notice will be given 6months after your rent expires

The 6months are rent free

You just read the position of the law and still you chose to be a dingbat, I hope you meet a landlord that knows the law , only then will you know that pomo and kanda are same thing.

smartoliver:
Hmmm.. I'll just keep following to see where this leads. But trust me, in Naija, once given a quit notice, tenants tend not to pay their rents.

It’s wrong..and it’s usually because the landlord serves the notice at the wrong time....if I serve u notice 6months to the end of ur rent....u leave when ur rent ends...after that I can forcefully move u...

The law was made to protect citizen from being thrown out without having enuf time to secure another place to stay. it’s not to give free rent period....Nigerian tenants have just seized an opportunity to make it a tit for tat case.... that shebí u send me out and then I won’t pay since I’m looking to pay in another place.....

laudate:


God will bless you, o! That 'yeye tenant that was boasting about how he will continue to stay for free inside my house, is in trouble. Wait first....let me print out your post, and wave it under his nose!!

/
One thing is to have laws, the other is to implement the laws.
Laws are continually flouted in Nigeria. The courts do not seem to be interested in justice. The laws may be on your side but incessant adjournments and or strikes, or even worse, meddling by the police will demoralize the plaintiff. It is not as easy as it seems.

Tenants are given notices prior to the expiration of their rents containing the expiration date of their current rent, renewal /conditions or prepare to vacate premises.

Notice to vacate premises is a whole new ball game if tenants are unable to renew rent as at when due.
/

jerflakes:
Quit notice will be given 6months after your rent expires

The 6months are rent free

NEVER! Not free at all. It once happen to my father's tenant, the man wanted to prove stubborn by not paying but court said he must pay...even every bills in d house b4 he would be allowed to take pin out of d house

babyfaceafrica:
and who will protect landlords from wicked Tennants?

Ur agreement done by ur lawyer for the tenancy. Tho I know tenants smtmes get away with it bt then sm landlords transfers the problem to the next tenant to bare rather then himself so. I’m speaking as both.

jaxxy:


Ur agreement done by ur lawyer for the tenancy. Tho I know tenants smtmes get away with it bt then sm landlords transfers the problem to the next tenant to bare rather then himself so. I’m speaking as both.

I doubt that..you are more sympathetic to tenants than landlords whose only income may be house rents..is that fair?

kevoh:

What if I no longer want the tenant in my house after his rent expires by end of March 2020? What type of notice can one give, seeing that I no longer have 6 months?

End of March on how many months rent?

In the absence of information.... let me give you 2 scenarios.

1. If it is a Yearly Rent. And the tenant pays upfront. Then the 6 Month Notice MUST be within the Preceding Rent. IF for instance he paid the rent January 1 2018. You must serve the Notice Before June ending, 2018.

If after then you wish to eject him STATUTORILY; you will have to put up with him till he pays another rent before you can serve him the Notice.

That’s what the Act says!

2. If it is a monthly tenancy. That is, he pays month by month. Then you don’t need 6 months notice. A Month notice to quit is enough... and then you serve the 7 days notice at the expiration of the 1 month notice.

It’s as simple as that.


That’s why you guys should instruct a lawyer before starting this process. There is no room for selfhelp under Nigerian Law at all! If you meet a learned tenant - and they take you to court for non-compliance with the statutory process, You will cough out damages!

Npfn:
this early morning well better i school you All this landlords trying to quote lagos act of 7 days free are pure decivers your entitled to six months free rent which is legal by the law for you to get a new apartment no place in nigeria has anyone paid 6months rent after quitnotice the Constitution of the land backs you as a tenant to use the grace period to find a new apartment ok try and be useful to you self

You are the one who needs to be schooled actually. Why not do a simple Google search first before displaying so much ignorance on a public forum. You even talked about constitution regarding tenancy law. Try what you are saying with a stubborn landlord and lose some of your property.

babyfaceafrica:
I doubt that..you are more sympathetic to tenants than landlords whose only income may be house rents..is that fair?

I’m a tenant aswell as a landlord I had experience of both sides. A good lawyer and monitoring can enforce/protect the landlord rights and his property. My only sympathy to the tenant is being thrown out on the street without notice that is inhumane, uncivil and wrong.

If u want to go u it shudnt be abrupt, u shud give him 6months notice while his rent is on so he can start saving and looking for another suitable place. Any extension after that 6months he will pay till he leaves. If fair on both sides here.

Now ur worry for the landlord is damages to property or what part exactly?

If you're owing, pay

Venerable612:


End of March on how many months rent?

In the absence of information.... let me give you 2 scenarios.

1. If it is a Yearly Rent. And the tenant pays upfront. Then the 6 Month Notice MUST be within the Preceding Rent. IF for instance he paid the rent January 1 2018. You must serve the Notice Before June ending, 2018.

If after then you wish to eject him STATUTORILY; you will have to put up with him till he pays another rent before you can serve him the Notice.

That’s what the Act says!

2. If it is a monthly tenancy. That is, he pays month by month. Then you don’t need 6 months notice. A Month notice to quit is enough... and then you serve the 7 days notice at the expiration of the 1 month notice.

It’s as simple as that.


That’s why you guys should instruct a lawyer before starting this process. There is no room for selfhelp under Nigerian Law at all! If you meet a learned tenant - and they take you to court for non-compliance with the statutory process, You will cough out damages!

It's actually a yearly rent. Thanks a lot. I know how to proceed from here.

Bros, don't know about other state but here in Lagos tenant always get 6 months grace without paying kobo. Before the court of law will come to the rescue of landlord at times is over a year.
I have seen many cases like this and am yet to see a single case of evicting a tenant within 7 days.

shosky1794:


You are the one who needs to be schooled actually. Why not do a simple Google search first before displaying so much ignorance on a public forum. You even talked about constitution regarding tenancy law. Try what you are saying with a stubborn landlord and lose some of your property.

someone should snap or screenshot a portion of the law to this effect...
because Nairalander can confuse thqn the devil himself

Npfn:
this early morning well better i school you All this landlords trying to quote lagos act of 7 days free are pure decivers your entitled to six months free rent which is legal by the law for you to get a new apartment no place in nigeria has anyone paid 6months rent after quitnotice the Constitution of the land backs you as a tenant to use the grace period to find a new apartment ok try and be useful to you self

Stop deceiving people bros. No law entitles you to live free in any landlord's house, even if the Quit Notice was wrongly issued. For our general enlightenment, please tell us the Section of the Constitution of the land that backs the tenant to live rent-free after receiving a Quit Notice.

kevoh:

It's actually a yearly rent. Thanks a lot. I know how to proceed from here.

Alright sir!

d tenant is entitled to 3months free to look for accommodation if its d landlord that want him out.
The law of Nigeria gives d tenant 65% right over landlord thats why you should show your tenant love so he can respect your feelings.
if you there tamper with his property or him during this period, d tenant has d right to sue you for damages, assault and crime and once d case is in court he will live in d premises until judgemental is delivered. After dat, d court will calculate d time take into consideration d legal fees d tenants has incured and ask him to pay prob like 50% of d actual rent.

I once like in a soldier house and he just send his agent and told me to pack within two weeks. i dont know my offers. i ignored d letter and yab d agent dat we will see in court. The soldier ed his lawyer calculated legal fees and time and called and appealed to me after two months of free rent that i too will be landlord one day.Mainwhile have gone to police station to report a treat to my life and property by unknown persons.

Now i use to tell my tenants."you know i love you all,i want your good, dont ever try to cheat me in any way cos i wont take you to court by i will use every other means to deal with u."

Brother, the OP may be right but so far here in Lagos state am yet to see any landlord that evict his/her tenant within 7 days. Even the so called elite landlords with good lawyer.

Surulereman:

Stop deceiving people bros. No law entitles you to live free in any landlord's house, even if the Quit Notice was wrongly issued. For our general enlightenment, please tell us the Section of the Constitution of the land that backs the tenant to live rent-free after receiving a Quit Notice.

madridguy:
Bros, don't know about other state but here in Lagos tenant always get 6 months grace without paying kobo. Before the court of law will come to the rescue of landlord at times is over a year.
I have seen many cases like this and am yet to see a single case of evicting a tenant within 7 days.

The Landlord is only being magnanimous if he allows you such grace. It's even easier in Lagos now with the Citizens' Mediation Centres set up by Fashola across the state. If the Landlord insists you pay for those 6 months then you have to pay

I feel sorry for the nonsense up there.
My parents own houses and whenever they gave notice to quit due to the fact that the tenant is owning, the tenant wouldn't pay a dine for the duration of the notice.
I dont know if the law is written or emanated from somewhere.....To hell with the Landlord or the court that will tell me to pay for that duration of the notice when I didnt owe but he decides to evict me. Nonsense!
That means every Landlords will be given tenants notice to quit after a year or are u people not thinking about agreement and commission?

gbaskiboy:
OP, kolewerk here, If quit notice is serve without owing landlord dime, the tenant will spend 6 months without paying anything. If the six months elapse and the tenant is yet to move. The tenant will plead for more months to get accomodation, If the landlord is a troublsome type and making it difficult for you after 6 month expirations, sue him to court and plainly state your reason for not moving out. The court will grant the tenant Three months to get accomodation. But after the 3 months granted by the court expires the tenant should find all means to move out, if not his property might be thrown outside

I thought it was so too,until I was educated well by a lawyer, you will pay for every extra period you stayed after the expiration of your six months notice which is to be served six month before your rent expired.

Even the Mediation Centres are helping the tenants most to bargain for more time. I have seen cases like that. To me the 7 days i have not seen it anywhere in Lagos.

shosky1794:


The Landlord is only being magnanimous if he allows you such grace. It's even easier in Lagos now with the Citizens' Mediation Centres set up by Fashola across the state. If the Landlord insists you pay for those 6 months then you have to pay

I'm just laughing with the OP quote of law. I don't know anywhere else but here in Lagos, once you served your tenant quit notice don't expect a dime. This is Nigeria

Adexvivacity:
I feel sorry for the nonsense up there.
My parents own houses and whenever they gave notice to quit due to the fact that the tenant is owning, the tenant wouldn't pay a dine for the duration of the notice.
I dont know if the law is written or emanated from somewhere.....To hell with the Landlord or the court that will tell me to pay for that duration of the notice when I didnt owe but he decides to evict me. Nonsense!
That means every Landlords will be given tenants notice to quit after a year or are u people not thinking about agreement and commission?

ipeg34yahooco:
The question always arises in many quarters, should a tenant pay rent even after being served a quit notice? Surprisingly, a lot of people have this wrong notion that a quit notice automatically means no more payment to the Landlord. The position of the law in Nigeria however requires a tenant to pay for even a day not covered by a subsisting rent. This is what is known in law as MESNE PROFIT. Mesne profit simply means the profit which a landlord can recover from a tenant whose tenancy has ended but who still resides in the property till the date he gives up possession.

There are two main scenarios to consider in order to determine if a tenant who is served a quit notice is expected to pay mesne profit or not.
The first scenario is when the quit notice is served while the rent paid by the tenant is still subsisting. So, let’s say Mr. Kekere is a yearly tenant who has paid his rent to cover January to December 2017 and the law states that a yearly tenant must be given 6 months quit notice. Mr. Wada, who is the landlord, in compliance with the law serves Mr. Kekere a quit notice from 1st of July to 31st December 2017. If Mr. Kekere vacates the property by 31st of December, he is not required to pay any money since his rent was still subsisting when he was served the quit notice.

The second scenario is when the quit notice is served after the expiration of the tenant’s rent. So let’s say this time around, Mr. Kekere was served a quit notice from 31st of December 2017 to 30th of June 2018,even though his rent expires that same December 2017.The period between January to June 2018 which is not covered by the 2017 rent and any other extended period as a result of a court proceeding to eject Mr. Kekere must be paid for by Mr. Kekere.It simply means, Mr. Wada can recover mesne profit from Mr. Kekere for any period he is still in possession after the expiration of the quit notice until he moves out.

The law will not allow a tenant stay in another person’s property for even a day without paying for it .The tenant is still obligated to pay even during period of court proceedings and during the period the court grants judgment ordering the tenant to vacate the property.

In reality however, it is very difficult for a landlord to recover mesne profit because in most cases the tenant would have vacated the premises to a location unknown to the landlord before the court delivers judgment or the landlord is more concerned with recovering his property from the tenant than recovering any mesne profit.

So, should a tenant pay a landlord for a period not covered by a subsisting rent even after being served a quit notice? The answer is a big YES!

This is definitely an interesting topic that Nigerians need constant education on.

I haven't built a house though, but have heard lots about how troublesome and exploitative some tenants can be. I'm not saying Landlords too aren't troublesome. But like the common saying, it takes two to tangle.

I've seen of recent that many tenants are not in any way cool at all. And what many have forgotten is the fact that they will/may surely become a landlord/lady one day. So will they want anyone to live in their house for even three months and not be paid for it?

Even without law saying much clearly in that regard, one can definitely reason and arrive at a good conclusion.

Or maybe I should ask:
Can any tenant afford to be given a 6-months quit notice expiring by 31st of June 2020 when the rent paid covers till 31st of December 2020 without expecting any refund from the landlord/lady and still feel comfortable with it?

It's almost same thing at the corporate job level when offer will state that one month notice should be given on resignation and laying-off or equivalent payment in lieu of same. Although some employers/employees might have not been honoring that, but that doesn't legalize the act.

Everyone should treat others the way s/he wants to be treated. I strongly believe if we do this even at leadership level, our nation at large will be better.

MrMcJay:


Stop peddling ignorance.

You're entitled to 6 months notice BEFORE your rent expires. Once it has expired, you're entitled to only 7 days. Go and check Section 18(5) of the Lagos State Tenancy Law 2011 or similar legislation in your state.

If you like, sit tight in the property once the 7 days have lapsed, you'll pay Mesne profit for every extra day spent on the property in addition to your expenses for a lawyer to defend you.

sirfemoz:
A scenario where the quit notice was given cos the tenant couldn't afford to pay the rent, will the tenant still pay the mesne fee? Because that the scenario that plays a lot in this country.

Exactly my point. Thanks for bringing this up.

madridguy:
Even the Mediation Centres are helping the tenants most to bargain for more time. I have seen cases like that. To me the 7 days i have not seen it anywhere in Lagos.

I don't think the Centres are helping the tenants to get more time. There's a process to follow and if you as the complainant monitor the process well, you will get your tenant out at the appropriate time and even gets his property auctioned to get your payment. In reality though, the 7 days notice doesn't work because of many factors.

Chikena

shosky1794:


I don't think the Centres are helping the tenants to get more time. There's a process to follow and if you as the complainant monitor the process well, you will get your tenant out at the appropriate time and even gets his property auctioned to get your payment. In reality though, the 7 days notice doesn't work because of many factors.

noble71:

Exactly my point. Thanks for bringing this up.

The tenant properties can be auctioned off if the landlord follows through with the process. It has happen before.

The kind of responses i am reading here seriously implies the criminal mindedness of Nigerians.

HOW CAN YOU STAY IN A LANDLORD'S HOUSE FOR FREE AND YOU DON NOT HAVE GUILTY CONSCIENCE?!
CHAI!

AND NA WE RELIGIOUS !

@ OP did the law permit payment of agreement, commission and damages on properties that are already damaged? Many greedy Landlords are the ones shortchanging themselves. When you choose to collect extra charges that nearly equals the rent, added together it's like paying for double the year you are paying for, that's why most landlord don't want to ask for a dime during those subsisting period they know they are guilty already. Some landlord act like demigod by giving their tenant quit notice under questionable circumstances, for example some landlord think they don't have to pay for electricity, Lawma or security; they simply all charges to their tenant and if you have a tenant who challenge them on such absurdity the next thing you'll get is quit notice. Why not ing illegality, most of the happenings now were not figured in our constitution, landlords becoming monsters to their tenant, increasing rent at will without a modicum of human sympathy, some do it yearly to frustrate tenant so they can get another set of agreement, commission and damages fee which is too bad. If you want to do a good job I will request you come up with another post highlighting the right of tenants and circumstances under which a tenant can be given a quit notice so that landlord will not further abuse the tenant rights.