Goodbye to 1977 Rent Law: Delta Assembly Moves to Pass New Tenancy Bill to Protect Landlords, Tenants

In a major legislative move that promises to reshape landlord-tenant relationships across Delta State, the Delta State House of Assembly has commenced the passage of a new bill designed to scrap the state’s archaic 49-year-old rent and tenancy law.

The lawmakers on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, passed the first reading of the Delta State Tenancy and Recovery of Premises Bill, 2026, paving the way for a modern, balanced legal framework governing house rents, illegal evictions, notice periods, and property recovery in urban and rural communities statewide.

Once fully enacted into law, the bill will formally repeal the outdated Rent Control and Recovery of Residential Premises Law of 1977, which residents and legal experts have long criticised as obsolete and incapable of addressing modern real estate realities in growing commercial hubs like Asaba, Warri, Ughelli, and Agbor.

Presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, plenary granted leave for the reintroduction of the bill following key amendments aimed at protecting both property owners and tenants from exploitation, arbitrary rent hikes, and prolonged legal disputes.

The motion for the reintroduction and first reading was moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi (Aniocha North), and seconded by the member representing Burutu One State Constituency, Hon. Anthony Alapala.

Addressing lawmakers, Speaker Guwor explained that the bill had been previously introduced but was temporarily withdrawn to incorporate critical amendments that make its provisions more comprehensive, equitable, and enforceable across Delta State.

What the New Tenancy Bill Means for Deltans

For decades, tenants across Delta State have complained of sudden rent increases, short quit notices, and forceful ejectment by aggressive landlords. Conversely, property owners have struggled with defaulting tenants who refuse to vacate apartments even after months of non-payment.

The new Tenancy and Recovery of Premises Bill, 2026 aims to resolve these persistent issues by establishing:

• Clear Quit Notice Mandates: Standardised statutory notice periods based on tenancy duration (e.g., monthly, quarterly, or yearly tenancies).

• Protection Against Unlawful Eviction: Strict penalties for landlords who resort to self-help, such as removing roofs, disconnecting water or electricity, or harassing tenants.

• Streamlined Property Recovery: Faster court procedures for landlords to legally recover possession of premises from defaulting or recalcitrant tenants without years of judicial delay.

• Fair Business Environment: A regulatory framework that encourages real estate investors to build more housing units while guaranteeing tenant rights.

Speaker Guwor deferred the second reading of the bill to the next legislative sitting, where lawmakers will debate the general principles of the proposed law before committing it to the relevant house committee for public hearing.