ABAKALIKI, NIGERIA— The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed an executive bill aimed at protecting residents from exploitative real estate practices and curbing public asset vandalism. Cited as the *Ebonyi State Sale of Scraps, House Rent, and Agent Fees Regulation Law 2026*, the legislation establishes a strict 2% cap on estate agent commissions and introduces regulatory oversight for both housing transactions and the local scrap metal market.
Presided over by Speaker Moses Odunwa at the Assembly Complex in Abakaliki, the passage comes in response to rising housing costs and persistent complaints from residents regarding arbitrary, exorbitant charges by property agents. Previously, agency charges in urban areas frequently ranged between 5% and 10%.
Key Provisions of the New Law
Cap on Agency Commissions: Estate agency fees for real estate transactions are legally fixed at a maximum of 2% of the gross transaction value for both professional and non-professional agents.
Mandatory Agent Registration: To enforce transparency, all estate agents operating within the capital city are required to register with the Ministry of Capital City Development.
Standardised Rental Tariffs: Rent for applicable housing categories will be governed by standard tariffs set by Governor Francis Nwifuru. Landlords are prohibited from charging above the prescribed standard rent.
Protection Against Fraudulent Evictions: Landlords who obtain property possession orders through misrepresentation, fraud, or concealment of facts commit an offence punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment.
Restrictions on Scrap Metal Trade: Unlicensed buying, selling, transporting, or disposing of metal and electrical scraps is now outlawed. Violators face up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to ₦500,000, or both.
Presenting the bill during plenary, House Leader Kingsley Ikoro highlighted that the measure addresses dual issues facing the state: curbing environmental degradation and critical infrastructure vandalism while eliminating exploitative pricing in the housing sector.
State officials expect the law to lower upfront entry barriers for tenants and formalise real estate operations across urban centres.
Happening Reports