The Ebonyi State Executive Council has approved the transmission of two bills to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly: one to regulate house rents and fees charged by estate agents, and another to regulate the sale of metal and electrical scraps. The announcement was made by the state Commissioner for Information, Ikeuwah Omebeh, on Tuesday after the council meeting at the Government House in Abakaliki.
Proposed Caps on Agent Fees and Rent Increases
Mr Omebeh explained that the proposed legislation would place restrictions on arbitrary charges by house agents and rent increases by landlords. Under the bill, agents will not be allowed to collect fees exceeding two per cent of the total rent paid by tenants. The commissioner stressed that the move aims to protect tenants from excessive charges and ensure that only qualified, registered agents operate legally.
Regulation of Scrap Materials
The second bill seeks to regulate the buying, selling, possession, transportation, and disposal of metal and electrical scraps across the state. Mr Omebeh noted that this legislation would help curb vandalism, protect the environment, and promote public safety. The initiative responds to the state government's earlier commitment to address concerns over house rents, agent fees, and scrap dealer activities.
Similar Efforts in Enugu State
In Enugu State, a similar bill was sponsored in February 2025 by a member of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Okeh Mbah, representing Nkanu East State Constituency. The bill seeks to cap fees for rent agents and lawyers at a maximum of 10 per cent and abolish the practice of caution fees, which landlords often demand from tenants but never refund. Mr Mbah told Premium Times that the bill received wide acceptance among his colleagues, but the review process was delayed by the appointment of the then Attorney-General, Kingsley Udeh, as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology. However, the current Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Austin Nnajieze, has assured a speedy review for executive assent.
