The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed legislation regulating residential rents and property agency fees, capping agents’ charges at two per cent of the gross value of a transaction.
The Ebonyi State Sale of Scraps, House Rent and Agent Fees Regulation Law 2026, passed on Tuesday, August 11, applies to professional and non-professional agents.
It provides for approved rent levels for specified categories of accommodation and prohibits landlords from charging above the prescribed rates. Estate agents operating in Abakaliki, the state capital, must also register with the Ministry of Capital City.
Landlords who obtain possession of rented property through fraudulent misrepresentation or concealment of material facts face up to two years’ imprisonment.
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The legislation followed concerns over rising rents and agency charges, particularly in Abakaliki. On July 21, 2026, the state Executive Council approved an executive bill seeking to regulate landlord-tenant relations and cap agency fees at two per cent before transmitting it to the Assembly.
The Assembly’s passage on August 11 completes that legislative process.
The law also regulates the trade in metal and electrical scraps, including restrictions on unlicensed dealings.
The new housing provisions are intended to curb excessive charges, strengthen oversight and establish clearer rules for landlords, tenants and property agents across Ebonyi.