08/06/2026
YOUR LANDLORD JUST INCREASED YOUR RENT — HERE IS WHAT THE LAW ACTUALLY SAYS
Before you argue, before you threaten to leave, before you go online to vent
Pull out a calculator first.
Because whether you have a case or not depends on one thing: the percentage of increment.
THE SIMPLE RULE UNDER TENANCY LAW
A landlord cannot increase rent arbitrarily.
But "arbitrary" has a legal definition here and it may surprise you.
Any increment above 50–55% of your current rent is considered arbitrary and can be contested.
Any increment at or below 50–55%, you have no case. Pay or move out.
EXAMPLES TO MAKE IT CLEAR
These fall within legal range, no case, pay or move:
- ₦300k → ₦400k ✅
- ₦500k → ₦700k ✅
- ₦400k → ₦650k ✅
- ₦800k → ₦1.2M ✅
These exceed legal range, go to Magistrate Court and contest it:
- ₦300k → ₦550k ⚠️
- ₦500k → ₦900k ⚠️
- ₦400k → ₦800k ⚠️
SPECIAL CASE — WHEN THE LANDLORD ADDS NEW FACILITIES
If your landlord makes genuine improvements to the property — new facilities, renovations, upgrades — the threshold changes.
The increment can legally go up to 70–100%, depending on the value and standard of the improvements made.
So if your rent went from:
- ₦300k → ₦500k and the landlord renovated or added something new — no case, pay or move
- ₦500k → ₦1M with verifiable improvements — no case, pay or move
The key word is genuine improvement. Not a fresh coat of paint. Actual additions that increase the value or standard of the property.
WHAT ABOUT YEARLY INCREASES?
If your landlord increases rent every year, the same rule applies per increment.
As long as each yearly increase does not exceed 50–55% of the rent at that time, it is within the law.
The moment it crosses that threshold without corresponding improvements, that is when you have grounds to act.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE A CASE
1. Calculate the percentage increase
2. Confirm there were no new facilities or improvements added
3. If the increment exceeds 50–55% with no justification.
