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Written by: ESTATE BOOKS | AUG 23 2023 | Views 769 | << back
21. Where a person claims possession of premises which he alleges is occupied solely by a person in unlawful occupation, the proceedings for recovery of the premises shall be by the summary procedure contained in the Civil Procedure Rules of the relevant Court without prejudice to the necessary need to serve upon the unlawful occupant Form TL4.
22. Service of any summons, warrant or other process shall be effected in accordance with the provisions of the law for the time being in force relating to the' service of the civil process of Magistrates' Court or the High Court of Lagos State.
23. Subject to the provisions of this Law, the forms contained in the Schedule to this Law, may be used in the cases to which they apply and when so used, shall be sufficient in Law with such adaptation and modification as may be necessary.
24. Upon the expiration of the time stated in the notice as in Form TL4, if the tenant neglects or refuses to quit and deliver up possession, the landlord may file a claim by way of summons as in Form TL6A and B for recovery of possession, either against the tenant or against such person so neglecting or refusing, in the Magisterial District or High Court Division where the premises is situated.
25.-(1) unless the agreement expressly stipulates otherwise, the Court shall have power to make an .order for possession upon proof of any of the following grounds –
(a) arrears of rent;
(b) breach of any covenant or agreement;
(c) where the premises is required by the landlord for personal use; or
(2) Notwithstanding any agreement between the parties, the Court shall have power to make an Order for possession upon proof of any of the following grounds where-
(a) the premises is being used for immoral or illegal purposes;
(b) the premises has been abandoned;
(c) the premises is unsafe and unsound as to constitute a danger to human life or property; or
(d) the tenant or any person residing or lodging with him or being his sub-tenant constitutes by conduct, an act of intolerable nuisance or induces a breach of a tenancy agreement.
26. The landlord shall be entitled to recovery of the premises where-
(a) a tenancy is proved to be for a fixed term certain ;
(b) the period of the tenancy has expired by effluxion of time; and
(c) form "TL5" has been served in accordance with Section 13(5) of this Law.
27.-(1) In any matter under this Law, relating to any ‘fact required to be proved at the trial of any action, evidence shall be by written deposition or oral examination of witnesses in open Court or a combination of both.
(2) All agreed documents or other exhibits shall be tendered from the bar or by the party where he is not represented by a legal practitioner.
(3) The oral examination of a witness during his evidence- in-chief shall be limited to confirming his written deposition and tendering in evidence all disputed documents or other exhibits.
(4) Where the tenant does not enter any defense and the landlord can prove –
(a) that the defendant is still neglecting or refusing to deliver up the premises;
(b) the annual rental value of the premises;
(c) the nature of the tenancy or holding;
(d) the expiration or other determination of the tenancy within the time and manner stipulated by law;
(e) his title, if such has accrued since the letting of the premises; and
(f) the service of the summons or writ if the defendant does not appear.
the Court may make an order as in Form TL 7 for possession of the premises mentioned either immediately or on or before such date (within six (6) months from the date of the Order) as the Court may direct
(5) Subject to the provisions of Section 13 (2) and (3), the Court shall, in making an order for possession of premises, have regard to all circumstances of the case including where appropriate, the question as to whether other premises are available for the landlord or the tenant.
(6) If the claimant named in the summons or writ fails to obtain an Order under subsection (1) of this Section, the defendant may be awarded such costs as the Court may direct.
28.-(1) Where there is any matter for determination before a Court under this Law, and the tenant admits the arrears of rent or a portion of the rent, the Court may order the tenant to pay such arrears of rent while the Court proceeds with the matter.
(2) Where arrears of rent are claimed for the use and occupation of the premises, the claim shall show the rate at which such sum is claimed, and where it is proved, judgment shall be entered for the amount so proved.
29.-(1) In any proceedings under this Law, where a landlord refuses to accept the current rent from a tenant, the tenant may, upon application to the Court pay such rent to the Court's Registry.
(2) The Landlord in such case shall be entitled to collect the rent from the Court, less ten percent (10%) to be retained by the Court.
30.-(1) A valid agreement to arbitrate shall be upheld and be enforceable in the Court while an arbitration clause or agreement in a tenancy or lease agreement shall not be construed as an ouster of the Court's jurisdiction.
(2) In the absence of any agreement to the contrary or where the parties cannot agree on the appointment of an arbitrator or tribunal, the Court on receipt of a written application by any of the parties, shall act as the appointing authority, upon payment of the prescribed fees.
(3) An arbitration award shall be enforceable as a Judgment or Order of the Court upon registration.
(5) An Arbitration Award in any matter covered by this Law must be registered within three (3) months of the date of the Award.
31. Where mesne profits or a sum for the use and occupation of the premises are claimed, the claim shall show the rate at which such sum is claimed, and where it is proved, judgment shall be entered for the amount so proved.
32.-(1) In proceedings under this Law, the Court shall promote reconciliation, mediation and amicable settlement between the parties.
(2) A Court may refer tenancy proceedings or any part of it to mediation at a Citizen Mediation Centre or to Lagos Multi-Door Court House.
(3) Referrals to mediation under the provisions of subsection (2) of this Section shall not require the consent of the parties to the proceedings.
(4) The mediator shall submit the Mediation Agreement to the Court for endorsement and enforcement within three (3) days after execution by the parties.
33. Where, in a possession claim against persons in unlawful occupation, the Claimant does not know the name of a person in occupation of the premises, the claim shall be brought against "persons unknown" in addition to any other description available.
34. Where in accordance with Section 27 of this Law, the defendant intends to rely on a written deposition, he may at the time of filing the defense but not later than five (5) days thereafter, file witness statements, exhibits and other relevant documents to be tendered.
35. Where in a possession claim against trespassers, the claim has been issued against "persons unknown", the claim, particulars of claim, any witness statements, exhibits and any other relevant document shall be deemed served on those persons by –
(a) Attaching copies of the claim form, particulars of claim and any other relevant document to the main door or some other part of the premises so that they are clearly visible;
(b) if practicable, inserting copies of those documents in a sealed transparent envelope addressed to "the occupiers" through the door or gate of the premises or letter box if there is one; or
(c) Placing stakes in the land in places where they are clearly visible and attaching to each stake copies of the claim form, particulars of claim and any other relevant document in a sealed transparent envelope addressed to "the occupiers".
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