The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed a new law regulating the sale and handling of metal and electrical scraps, residential rents and property agency fees across the state.
The legislation, known as the Ebonyi State Sale of Scraps, House Rent, and Agent Fees Regulation Law 2026, was passed during plenary on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, under the leadership of Speaker Moses Odunwa, and took immediate effect.
Under the new law, the buying, selling, possession, transportation or disposal of metal and electrical scraps without the required licence is now prohibited. Offenders face up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to ₦500,000, or both.
The law also empowers the state to regulate residential rents, with landlords barred from charging above the standard rent tariffs prescribed by the state government for applicable categories of accommodation.
It further provides that landlords who fraudulently obtain possession orders through misrepresentation, fraud or concealment of material facts could face up to two years in prison.
On property transactions, agency fees have been capped at two per cent of the gross transaction value for both professional and non-professional agents. Estate agents operating within the state capital are also required to register with the Ministry of the Capital City.
Presenting the bill, House Leader Kingsley Ikoro said the legislation was necessary to protect public infrastructure and vulnerable tenants from exploitation.
Lawmakers who contributed to the debate described the measure as timely, citing concerns over scrap theft, vandalism, arbitrary rent increases and excessive charges by property agents.
Speaking after the passage, Speaker Moses Odunwa said the law would help curb activities that damage public and private property while promoting public safety and greater order in the property market.
The bill was subjected to clause-by-clause consideration by the Committee of the Whole before being passed by the House.
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