Rent renewal and notice periods in Nigeria: a landlord’s timeline
Most disputes between landlords and tenants start with timing: a renewal nobody discussed, or a notice served too late to count. This guide sets out the usual notice periods and a simple timeline to stay ahead.
Not legal advice. Tenancy law in Nigeria is set by each state, and your tenancy agreement may say more. Use this guide to plan, then confirm the rules for your property with a lawyer before serving any notice.
Start with the tenancy agreement
Your written agreement is the first place to look. It should state the tenancy type (yearly, monthly and so on), the start and end dates, how renewal works, and any notice the parties agreed. Where the agreement sets a notice period, that usually applies. Where it is silent, state law fills the gap.
Typical statutory notice periods
The Lagos State Tenancy Law 2011, which many landlords use as a reference point, sets these minimum periods for a notice to quit when the agreement does not say otherwise:
| Tenancy type | Minimum notice to quit |
|---|---|
| Weekly | One week |
| Monthly | One month |
| Quarterly | Three months |
| Half-yearly | Three months |
| Yearly | Six months |
When the notice to quit expires and the tenant has not left, the landlord generally serves a further seven-day notice of intention to recover possession before going to court. Other states, including the Federal Capital Territory under the Recovery of Premises Act, follow a similar pattern, but the details differ, so check the law where the property is.
Lagos law also limits how much rent in advance a landlord may demand from a new or sitting tenant. If you collect a year or more upfront, confirm you are within the limit for your state.
A renewal timeline that works
Notice periods tell you the latest you can act. A good timeline gives you, and your tenant, time to talk first.
Six months before (yearly tenancies)
Decide whether you want the tenant to stay and whether the rent will change. If you plan to end a yearly tenancy, this is the point by which your notice usually needs to be served.
Three months before
Contact the tenant about renewal. Share any new rent in writing and explain the reason, such as rising service charges or improvements made. Tenants who hear early are far more likely to renew without friction.
One month before
Confirm the renewal terms in writing and send an invoice for the next period. If the tenant is leaving, agree a move-out date and inspection.
Seven days before
Follow up on any unpaid renewal rent and make sure documents are signed. Record the new end date.
After the renewal date
If rent has not been paid or the tenant has not agreed terms, act promptly and in writing. Keep copies of every notice and proof of how it was delivered.
Serving notice properly
- Put every notice in writing, dated and signed.
- State the property address, the tenant’s name and the date the tenancy ends.
- Deliver it in a way you can prove, such as by hand with an acknowledgement, or by a witness.
- Keep a copy with your tenancy records.
For wording, a template and how to prove service, see how to write and serve a notice to quit.
Let the reminders do the remembering
Landlord Reminder follows the same timeline. Add each tenancy with its renewal date and the app flags it three months, one month and seven days ahead, and again if the date passes, so you can act early instead of reacting late.