KEY POINTS
- Ebonyi caps estate agency fees at 2 per cent of transaction value.
- Landlords must follow government-approved rent limits.
- Unlicensed scrap trading now attracts fines or up to two years in prison.
The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed a new law to regulate house rents, estate agency fees and the buying and selling of metal and electrical scraps across the state.
The legislation, known as the Ebonyi State Sale of Scraps, House Rent, and Agent Fees Regulation Law 2026, was passed on August 11, 2026, during plenary presided over by Speaker Moses Odunwa.
The law introduces new rules aimed at protecting tenants, controlling excessive charges in the property market, reducing the theft of public infrastructure and regulating the scrap trade. The legislation took effect immediately after its passage.
One of the major provisions of the new law is the introduction of a limit on fees charged by estate agents.
Under the legislation, real estate agency fees are capped at 2 per cent of the gross value of a property transaction. The limit applies to both professional and non-professional agents.
The move is aimed at reducing excessive charges and making property transactions more transparent for residents.
Estate agents operating in Ebonyi State capital, Abakaliki, are also required to register with the Ministry of the Capital City.
The registration requirement is expected to make it easier for authorities to monitor estate agents and ensure that they comply with the new rules.
Landlords barred from exceeding rent limits
The new law also seeks to address rising house rents in the state.
It provides that standard rent tariffs approved by Governor Francis Nwifuru will determine the applicable rates for different categories of residential properties.
Landlords will therefore not be allowed to demand rents above the prescribed limits.
The provision is designed to protect tenants from what the lawmakers described as arbitrary and excessive rent increases.
The law also introduces penalties for landlords who use dishonest means to obtain possession orders against tenants.
Landlords who secure possession orders through fraud, misrepresentation or the deliberate hiding of important facts could face up to two years in prison.
The law also introduces tougher rules for the buying, selling, possession, transportation and disposal of metal and electrical scraps.
Under the new regulation, individuals and businesses will not be allowed to engage in these activities without the required licence.
Anyone found guilty of operating outside the law could face up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to ₦500,000, or both.
The Assembly said the measures are intended to tackle the theft and destruction of public infrastructure and private property.
The regulation is particularly focused on reducing the illegal removal and sale of metal and electrical materials that form part of public facilities.
The bill received strong support from members of the Assembly during its consideration.
House Leader Kingsley Ikoro urged lawmakers to support the legislation, saying it would help protect public infrastructure and vulnerable tenants.
Several other lawmakers also supported the bill, including Victor Nwoke of Abakaliki North, Nwodo Nwodo of Ebonyi North West, Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali of Afikpo East, Friday Ogbuewu of Ezza South and Celestine Ogba of Onicha East.
The lawmakers described the legislation as a timely response to the increase in scrap theft and what they called arbitrary increases in house rents.
Speaker Moses Odunwa said the new law was necessary because of the impact of illegal scrap activities on public and private property.
He said scrap dealers had caused significant damage to important infrastructure and that the legislation would help restore order.
Odunwa also said the law would help create a more organised property market while improving public safety.
The bill passed its third reading after lawmakers considered its provisions clause by clause during a sitting of the Committee of the Whole.