A tenant at will in Nigeria is that tenant whose landlord has allowed to remain in
possession of property at the expiration of rent usually with no advance understanding as to the termination date. It’s called tenancy at will because the tenant has right to remain in possession of property not because of rent paid or by virtue of a provision of law but because of the will of the landlord.
Tenancy at will is sometimes confused with tenancy at sufferance which is a totally different scenario. Whereas it’s the will of the landlord that a tenant at will
remains in possession of property at the expiration of rent, a tenant at sufferance
is in possession of property at the expiration of rent not at the authorization
of the landlord.
remains in possession of property at the expiration of rent, a tenant at sufferance
is in possession of property at the expiration of rent not at the authorization
of the landlord.
A tenant at will may enjoy same right as other tenants depending on agreement reached with the landlord. In the absence of an agreement, the Tenancy Law of Lagos State for example has a clear stand on the question of tenancy at will termination or the eviction of a tenant at will. It demands that landlords who wish to evict a tenant at will in Lagos State must serve them a notice to quit that should have a lifespan of at least seven days.