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The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed a new law regulating house rents, estate agency fees and the sale of metal and electrical scraps in a move aimed at protecting tenants, safeguarding public infrastructure and sanitising the state's property market.
The legislation, titled the Ebonyi State Sale of Scraps, House Rent and Agent Fees Regulation Law, 2026, was passed during Tuesday's plenary presided over by Speaker Moses Odunwa at the Assembly Complex along Nkaliki Road, Abakaliki.
The law took immediate effect following its passage on August 11, 2026.
According to the Assembly, the legislation establishes a comprehensive framework to curb vandalism of public assets, address environmental concerns arising from scrap activities and eliminate exploitative practices in the real estate sector.
Under the new law, individuals or businesses involved in the buying, selling, transportation, possession or disposal of metal and electrical scraps must obtain the required licence before operating.
Anyone found engaging in scrap business without authorisation risks a prison term of up to two years, a fine of not more than N500,000, or both upon conviction.
The legislation also empowers Governor Francis Nwifuru to prescribe standard rent tariffs for different categories of residential accommodation across the state.
Landlords are prohibited from charging rents above the approved rates, while those found to have obtained possession orders through fraud, misrepresentation or concealment of material facts face up to two years' imprisonment.
The law further places a ceiling on estate agency charges, fixing agency fees at a maximum of two per cent of the total value of any property transaction, whether handled by professional or non-professional agents.
To strengthen regulation and accountability, all estate agents operating within the capital city are required to register with the Ministry of the Capital City.
Presenting the bill for consideration, the Leader of the House, Kingsley Ikoro, urged lawmakers to support its passage, describing it as a critical measure for protecting public assets and shielding residents from excessive rent and agency charges.
Several lawmakers, including Victor Nwoke, Nwodo Nwodo, Oluchukwu Ukie Ezeali, Friday Ogbuewu and Celestine Ogba, backed the legislation, describing it as a timely response to rising cases of public infrastructure vandalism and arbitrary rent increases.
Speaking after the bill scaled its third reading, Speaker Odunwa said the law would help restore order to the property market and curb the activities of unscrupulous scrap dealers responsible for the destruction of public and private infrastructure.
In separate proceedings, the Assembly also adopted the Auditor-General's Report on the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Ebonyi State Government for the year ended December 31, 2025, affirming its compliance with standard accounting practices.
Lawmakers equally screened and confirmed nine nominees forwarded by Governor Nwifuru to serve as the Coordinator and members of the Management Committee of the Amasiri Development Centre in Afikpo Local Government Area following the government's reinstatement of the development centre.
