It outlines the rights and obligations of a tenant and landlord throughout a residential lease.

A Residential Lease Agreement, also known as a House Lease Agreement, is a legal document used by a landlord (lessor) to rent out their property to another person, known as the tenant (lessee).

In this arrangement, the landlord owns the property and grants the tenant the right to occupy it exclusively in exchange for the payment of rent — the agreed amount payable for the use of the property.

This agreement sets out important details such as:

• A description of the property being rented;
• The names and addresses of both landlord and tenant;
• The duration of the lease, including start and end dates;
• The rent amount and payment terms; and
• The conditions under which the tenant holds and uses the property.

A well-drafted lease agreement provides clear expectations for both parties and protects the landlord from potential disputes or damage caused by a difficult tenant.

Although the terms lease and tenancy are often used interchangeably, there is a distinction:

• A lease agreement applies when the property is rented for more than three years.
• A tenancy agreement applies when the property is rented for three years or less.

How to Use This Document

This document is suitable for any landlord wishing to rent out a property to a tenant.

When completing the agreement, the landlord or their representative should include the following information:

• Description of the property;
• Details of both parties (landlord and tenant);
• Duration of the lease; and
• Any specific terms and conditions to be observed.

The landlord may also include additional provisions, such as:

• Whether the tenant must insure the property against damage;
• Whether pets are permitted on the premises; or
• Any restrictions on how the property may be used.

In short, this agreement allows both parties to clearly set out their expectations and obligations.

Once completed, the document should be printed and signed by both parties, along with their witnesses, who will provide their details and signatures. Each party should retain a signed copy for their records.

Applicable Laws

The following laws may apply to this agreement in Nigeria:

• Tenancy Laws of various States – outlining the duties and rights of both landlords and tenants;
• Rent Control and Recovery of Premises Acts/Laws – specifying the procedures for recovering possession of rented premises and protecting tenants from unlawful eviction;
• Land Instruments Registration Act – governing the registration of land-related documents;
• Land Use Charge Laws – dealing with property taxation;
• Property and Conveyancing Laws; and
• The Conveyancing Act.

From Template to Completed Document

You can easily fill out a form to generate the agreement. Once completed, you can edit and download the draft or proceed to sign it via our E-signature tool with your record securely stored on DocuProp for future management.