Case #002 — Landlord Rent Increase (Pidgin)

**Subject: About the Rent Increase Wey You Send** Oga Landlord, I don receive your message about the new rent price. I dey greet you well well. Sir, I wan remind you say the tenancy agreement wey we sign together never expire o. E still get like 5 months before e go finish. So according to that agreement wey get our signature, I suppose dey pay the ₦350,000 wey we agree on top until the agreement expire. Again sir, even if you wan increase rent, Lagos State Tenancy Law talk am clear say landlord suppose give tenant proper notice — at least 3 months notice before the current agreement go expire. You no fit just wake up one morning come increase rent when person agreement still dey run. Na law be that o, no be me talk am. Oga, I dey respect you well well as my landlord, and I no wan wahala for anybody. But this thing wey you talk, e no follow due process at all. I fit pay the rent wey we agree on (₦350,000) when the time reach, but this new ₦500,000 wey you talk now, e no dey possible based on our agreement. If we no fit settle this matter like gentleman, I go get mind go report the matter to **Lagos State Rent Control and Recovery of Residential Premises Department** or even go **Citizens Mediation Centre** make dem help us settle am. I fit even consult lawyer sef if e reach like that, but I no wan make e reach that level. Make we reason this thing well well, sir. I be good tenant, I dey pay my rent on time, I dey maintain the house. Make we follow the agreement wey we sign and follow law do things proper. I dey wait your response. Respect, [Your Name]

**Reply Message (in Nigerian Pidgin):** Good evening, sir. I see your message about the rent increase. I respect you as my landlord, but I wan point out say my current tenancy agreement never expire, e still get like 5 months remain. Based on that agreement wey we both sign, the rent wey I dey pay suppose still dey valid till the agreement finish. Plus, as per Lagos State Tenancy Law, if landlord wan increase rent, e suppose give tenant at least 6 months notice before the new rent go start. I no receive any notice before now, and the law dey clear for this kind matter. I dey beg make we follow the law and the agreement wey we both sign. If we no fit settle am like this, I go no choice but to carry the matter go Lagos State Tenancy Tribunal or report am to the Rent Control Office make dem help us resolve am. I dey hope say we fit settle this matter amicably. Thank you, sir.

Ah, Landlord, good afternoon sir/ma. I hope say you dey fine. I receive your message concerning the rent increase, from N350,000 to N500,000, and the instruction to pay before month end. I appreciate you informing me. However, I want to gently remind you say our current tenancy agreement, the one wey we sign, still get five months to run. According to the terms wey we both agreed on, the rent for this period remains N350,000. Also, based on the Lagos State Tenancy Law, for any rent increase to be valid, especially when an agreement is still active, the landlord is supposed to give a reasonable notice period. For a yearly tenancy like ours, the law usually recommends at least six months' notice before any increment can take effect, and even at that, it can only take effect after the current agreement expires. So, with all due respect, I cannot pay the new amount of N500,000 at this time, as it goes against our existing agreement and the provisions of the Lagos State Tenancy Law. I am prepared to continue paying the agreed N350,000 until our current tenancy agreement expires. If by any chance we no fit agree on this matter, and you insist on the new rent before the agreement expires, then I go unfortunately have to take this issue up with the appropriate authorities. I go formally complain to the Lagos State Tenancy Tribunal or the Citizens' Mediation Centre, as they are the bodies responsible for resolving landlord-tenant disputes in Lagos. I really no want us to reach that point, but I need to protect my rights as a tenant. I believe say we fit resolve this amicably, as we don dey together for some time now. Please, let's stick to the terms wey we already agreed on. Thank you for your understanding. Regards, [Your Name]

Of course! Here na the reply wey you fit send. E dey polite but firm, and e dey talk the matter for inside. *** **Subject: About My Rent Wey You Increase** Good afternoon, Sir/Ma. I don get your message about the rent wey you increase from ₦350,000 to ₦500,000. Thank you for the information. But I wan make we remember say as we dey talk now, our current tenancy agreement never expire. E still get about 5 good months to run. So, by law, the agreement wey we sign still dey valid and we suppose dey follow am. Also, for Lagos State, the tenancy law dey talk say for this kind rent increase, landlord must give the tenant one *official notice* of at least six months before the new rent go start. This one wey you talk say make I pay before month end no follow the law at all. So, I beg, make we allow the current agreement wey we sign finish first. By the time e remain one or two months, we fit begin talk about the new rent, and we go follow the correct process wey the law talk. If we no gree for this matter, I go first report the case to the Lagos State Rent Commission at Alausa. Dem dey handle these kind issues make landlord and tenant no fight. I believe say we no need make things reach that level. I remain your good tenant. Thank you. [Your Name]

Dear landlord, I see your message about di rent increase from ₦350k to ₦500k before month end. But my current tenancy agreement neva expire — e still get 5 months to run. Lagos tenancy law say landlord must give tenant at least one month notice before dem wan increase rent, and di new rent no suppose apply until after dat notice period. I go like you to confirm wetin next step be. If you no agree to di original agreement terms, I fit contact my local council office or di Landmark court if I need to complain. Thank you for your understanding — I hope we fit sort this out.