Key Takeaways
- The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed a bill regulating scrap trade, house rents, and estate agent fees
- The legislation, titled 'The Ebonyi State Sale of Scraps, House Rent and Agent Fees Regulation Law, 2026', aims to curb exploitation and vandalism
- The law standardises house rents, limits agent fees, and requires landlords to comply with prescribed rents
The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed a landmark legislation aimed at regulating the scrap trade, house rents, and estate agent fees in the state. The legislation, which is titled 'The Ebonyi State Sale of Scraps, House Rent and Agent Fees Regulation Law, 2026', seeks to curb exploitation and vandalism in the housing sector.
The law, which is deemed to commence immediately if assented to by Governor Francis Nwifuru, regulates the sale, possession, transportation, and disposal of metal and electrical scraps. It also standardises house rents and limits agent fees to not more than two per cent of the gross sum of a property transaction.
Provisions of the Law
The legislation prohibits the purchase, sale, possession for sale, transportation, or disposal of metal or electrical scraps except by licensed dealers operating in accordance with regulations made under the law. Offenders may face imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or a fine of up to N500,000.
The law also stipulates that landlords who obtain possession of accommodation through fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts commit an offence punishable by up to two years' imprisonment. Furthermore, landlords are required to comply with standard rents prescribed by the governor for applicable categories of accommodation.
Registration of Estate Agents
The legislation requires all estate agents operating in the state capital to register with the Ministry of Capital City to promote transparency and professionalism in property transactions. This move is expected to reduce fraudulent practices and protect consumers.
The House Leader, Kingsley Ikoro, presented the bill, stating that the legislation was designed to check vandalism, environmental degradation, and exploitative practices in the housing sector. Other lawmakers, including Victor Nwoke, Aloysius Nwodo, Oluchukwu Ezeali, Friday Ogbuewu, and Celestine Ogba, contributed to the debate, describing the legislation as timely and necessary.
Why This Matters
The passage of this legislation is a significant step towards addressing the issues of scrap theft and arbitrary rent increases in Ebonyi State. By regulating the scrap trade and estate agent fees, the state government aims to promote public safety, restore sanity to property transactions, and protect consumers from exploitation. The law's provisions will help to curb vandalism, environmental degradation, and exploitative practices in the housing sector, ultimately contributing to the state's economic development and social stability.