How to Write Quit Notice in Nigeria

If you are a landlord in Nigeria and you want to terminate a tenancy agreement with your tenant, you will need to issue a quit notice. A quit notice is a legal document that gives a tenant a specific period of time to vacate a property. However, writing a quit notice can be a daunting task, especially for first-time landlords. In this article, we will guide you through the process of writing a quit notice in Nigeria.

1. Understand the Legal Requirements

Before issuing a quit notice to your tenant, it is important to understand the legal requirements. In Nigeria, the law requires that you give your tenant a minimum of one month notice before terminating the tenancy agreement. The notice should be in writing and must state the reason for termination.

2. State the Reason for Termination

When writing a quit notice, you must clearly state the reason for termination. This could be due to the expiration of the tenancy agreement, violation of the terms of the agreement, or non-payment of rent. Whatever the reason, it must be clearly stated in the notice.

3. Provide a Deadline for Vacation

The quit notice must provide a deadline for the tenant to vacate the property. According to Nigerian law, the minimum period of notice is one month. However, you can give a longer period of notice if you wish to do so.

4. Include Your Contact Details

It is important to include your contact details in the quit notice. This will enable the tenant to contact you if they have any questions or concerns. Ensure that you include your phone number, email address, and physical address in the notice.

5. Proofread and Edit the Notice

Before issuing the quit notice, it is important to proofread and edit the document. The notice should be free of grammatical errors and should be easy to understand. If necessary, seek the services of a legal professional to review the document.

6. Serve the Notice

Once you have written and edited the notice, it is time to serve it to the tenant. The notice can be served in person, via registered mail, or through a legal representative. Ensure that you keep a copy of the notice for your records.

7. Follow Up

After serving the notice, it is important to follow up with the tenant to ensure that they have received the notice and understand its contents. Follow up can be done via phone or email.

Conclusion

In conclusion, writing a quit notice in Nigeria is a straightforward process. By following the legal requirements, clearly stating the reason for termination, providing a deadline for vacation, including your contact details, proofreading and editing the notice, serving the notice, and following up with the tenant, you can successfully terminate a tenancy agreement.

FAQs

Q1. Can I terminate a tenancy agreement without issuing a quit notice?

A1. No, Nigerian law requires that you issue a quit notice before terminating a tenancy agreement.

Q2. Can I give less than one month notice?

A2. No, the law requires that you give a minimum of one month notice.

Q3. Can I issue a quit notice via text message?

A3. No, the notice must be in writing and can be served in person, via registered mail, or through a legal representative.

Q4. What happens if the tenant does not vacate the property within the specified period?

A4. If the tenant does not vacate the property within the specified period, you can seek legal action to evict them.

Q5. Can I change the terms of the tenancy agreement in the quit notice?

A5. No, the quit notice should only state the reason for termination and the deadline for vacation.