How Can a Landlord Increase Rent in Nigeria?
For landlords and tenants. General information, not legal advice.
Direct answer: A landlord in Nigeria should generally raise rent only when a tenancy is being renewed, not in the middle of a fixed term, and should give clear written notice well before the current term ends. The new figure should be reasonable for the market and agreed before the new term starts. Rules differ by state, so check the law where the property is.
When Rent Can Be Increased
If a tenancy runs for a fixed term, such as a year, the rent for that term is generally fixed by the agreement. A mid-term increase is usually not allowed unless the agreement itself provides for it. The natural moment for an increase is renewal, when the landlord can propose a new rent for the next term and the tenant can accept, negotiate or decline.
Give Notice in Writing, and Early
A message saying the rent doubles next month is not a proper notice. Put the new rent, the date it starts and the term it applies to in writing, and keep a copy. Give enough time for the tenant to decide, and for a yearly tenancy that means months, not days. Legal commentary on Lagos notes that, in the parts of Lagos covered by the Rent Control and Recovery of Premises Law, a landlord can increase rent only once every two years and must give six months' written notice before the current tenancy ends. Check which rule applies to your property.
A useful working habit is to start the conversation around six months before a yearly tenancy ends. It gives you time to agree a figure and, if the tenant will not accept it, time to plan for a vacancy.
Keep the Increase Reasonable
The Lagos Tenancy Law expects rent to be reasonable for the premises, and a tenant who thinks an increase is excessive can ask the court to declare it unreasonable. Whatever the state, an increase that you can justify is easier to agree. Look at what similar properties nearby are renting for, note any improvements you have made, and be ready to explain the number.
A new tenancy law for Lagos has been proposed, so it is worth checking the current position before you send a notice.
Handling a Tenant Who Objects
Treat it as a negotiation. Some landlords hold the rent for a good tenant rather than risk a vacancy and the cost of finding someone new, or agree a smaller increase now and another later. Whatever you agree, write it down and have both sides sign or confirm it before the new term starts. If you cannot agree and the tenant will leave, follow the notice rules in your agreement and the law, which our notice to quit guide explains in general terms.
Record the New Rent
Once agreed, update the rent, the start and end dates and the payment schedule, so your records and reminders match the new terms. In Domby, renewing a tenancy pre-fills the current rent and the next period, and you change the amount before confirming. The tenant's history from before the renewal stays in place, and the alerts before the end date give you a reminder to start the conversation early.
FAQ
Generally not, unless the agreement allows it. The rent for a fixed term is usually set by the agreement. The usual time to change it is at renewal, with the new rent agreed before the new term starts.
Enough for the tenant to decide, and in writing. For a yearly tenancy that means months. In parts of Lagos covered by the Rent Control and Recovery of Premises Law, commentary says six months' written notice is required. Check which law applies to your property.
Yes. Under the Lagos Tenancy Law a tenant who believes an increase is unreasonable can ask the court to declare it so. A better first step is to talk to the landlord and negotiate.
It is better to give notice in writing with the new rent, the date it starts and the term it applies to, and to keep a copy. A quick message with no detail is easy to dispute.
Domby's lease and rent alerts remind you before a tenancy ends so you can start early, and renewing a tenancy lets you set the new rent and dates while keeping the previous payment history.
Related guides
See how landlords renew a lease, the free tenancy agreement template and how to track lease start and end dates. See also how landlords create a tenancy agreement, the free rent increase letter template, and the full rent collection guide for where an increase fits into the bigger process. Browse all landlord guides.
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