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Quit Notice Period Calculator for Nigeria

Calculates the statutory notice period a landlord or tenant must give to end a tenancy in Nigeria, based on state law and tenancy type.

Your details

Select the state where the rental property is located. The notice period is determined by state law.

Select the payment period of your tenancy agreement.

The date on which the Notice to Quit or Notice of Intention to Quit is given to the other party.

If your tenancy agreement specifies a notice period different from the statutory minimum, enter it here in days. Leave blank to use the statutory period.

Result

Date Tenant Must Vacate 19 November 2026

The calculated date by which the tenant must vacate the property, based on the applicable notice period.

How it is calculated

Statutory Minimum Notice Period The minimum notice period required by law for the selected tenancy type in your state, in the absence of a contractual agreement.
30 days
Applicable Notice Period The notice period that must be given. This is the agreed period from your contract if provided; otherwise, it is the statutory minimum.
30 days
Keep in mind
  • This calculator provides an estimate based on standard statutory notice periods. Specific local government bylaws or court rulings may affect the required notice.
  • For states other than Lagos and Abuja, the Recovery of Premises Act is generally applicable, but some states may have modified versions or specific laws. Always verify with local authorities.
  • The notice period is calculated in calendar days.
  • The statutory notice periods apply only where the tenancy agreement does not stipulate a notice period. If your contract specifies a notice period (even if shorter than the statute), that contractual period prevails.
  • The 7-day 'Notice of Owner's Intention to Apply to Recover Possession' is a separate statutory notice served AFTER a Notice to Quit expires if the tenant fails to vacate. It is not added to the Notice to Quit period to calculate the vacate date.

Indicative result, calculated from the details and the rules listed below. It does not replace an official calculation or advice from a professional.

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Notice to Quit
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Understanding Quit Notice Periods in Nigeria

Ending a tenancy agreement in Nigeria requires giving the other party adequate notice. The required notice period depends on the state where the property is located, the type of tenancy (weekly, monthly, etc.), and any terms agreed upon in the tenancy contract. This calculator helps landlords and tenants determine the correct notice period and the final date by which the tenant must vacate.

How is the Notice Period Determined?

The process follows Nigerian tenancy laws, which operate on a key principle: contractual agreement takes precedence.

  1. Check Your Tenancy Agreement: First, review your tenancy agreement. If it specifies a notice period for termination (e.g., "2 months' notice"), that period applies, even if it is shorter than the statutory minimum. This is explicitly allowed under Section 13(1) of the Lagos State Tenancy Law 2011 and Section 8(1) of the Recovery of Premises Act, which state that statutory periods apply only "where there is no stipulation as to the notice to be given by either party."
  2. Apply Statutory Minimums if No Agreement Exists: If your contract is silent on notice, the law provides default minimum periods. In Lagos State, the Lagos State Tenancy Law 2011 applies. For the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) and most other states, the Recovery of Premises Act is the governing law. Both laws prescribe similar periods: 7 days for weekly tenancies, 1 month (30 days) for monthly, 3 months (90 days) for quarterly and half-yearly, and 6 months (180 days) for yearly tenancies.
  3. Calculate the Vacate Date: The date the tenant must leave is simply the date the notice is served plus the applicable notice period (whether agreed or statutory). There is no additional "pre-notice" period added for landlords under standard termination procedures.

A Worked Example

Imagine a landlord in Lagos State wishes to end a monthly tenancy, and their agreement does not specify a notice period. According to the Lagos State Tenancy Law, the statutory notice for a monthly tenancy is 1 month (30 days). If the landlord serves a Notice to Quit on October 20, 2026, they must give 30 days' notice. Adding 30 days to October 20, 2026, gives a vacate date of November 19, 2026. The tenant must leave the property on or before this date.

Now, consider a tenant in Abuja with a yearly tenancy whose contract states "60 days' notice." Even though the statutory minimum for a yearly tenancy is 6 months (180 days), the contractual 60-day period prevails. If the tenant serves notice on October 20, 2026, the vacate date would be December 19, 2026 (60 days later).

Common Scenarios

  • Tenant in Abuja ending a yearly lease with no agreed period: Under the Recovery of Premises Act, the tenant must give 6 months' notice.
  • Landlord in another state ending a quarterly tenancy with no agreed period: The statutory notice is 3 months (90 days).
  • Weekly tenancy anywhere: The statutory notice period is short—just 7 days.

The 7-Day Statutory Notice: A Separate Step

It is important to distinguish the Notice to Quit from a subsequent notice required for court action. Under laws like the Lagos State Tenancy Law (Section 16) and the Recovery of Premises Act (Section 7), if a tenant fails to vacate after a valid Notice to Quit expires, the landlord must then serve a "Notice of Owner's Intention to Apply to Recover Possession" (often a 7-day notice) before filing a lawsuit. This 7-day notice is not part of the Notice to Quit period and is not added to calculate the vacate date.

Next Steps: Serving Formal Notice

Once you have calculated the correct date, you should serve a formal written notice. For landlords, the principal document is a Notice to Quit. This document formally notifies the tenant of the termination and the date they must vacate. Tenants initiating the termination should use a Tenant's Notice to Terminate Tenancy. Ensuring your notice is in writing, clearly states the vacate date, and is delivered to the other party is crucial for legal compliance and avoiding disputes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a Notice to Quit and a Notice of Intention to Recover Possession?

A 'Notice to Quit' is the formal notice that terminates the tenancy, specifying the date the tenant must leave. A 'Notice of Intention to Recover Possession' is a separate statutory notice a landlord must serve only after the Notice to Quit has expired and the tenant has not vacated. It gives the tenant 7 days' warning before the landlord goes to court to seek an eviction order.

Do these notice periods apply if the tenant has breached the lease?

No. This calculator is for ending a tenancy without cause (where no breach has occurred). If a tenant has breached the lease (e.g., non-payment of rent), different, often shorter, notice periods and procedures apply, such as serving a 'Notice of Violation of Lease.'

I live in a state not listed in the dropdown. Which law applies?

Most Nigerian states (outside Lagos) operate under the federal Recovery of Premises Act. However, a few states may have enacted their own tenancy laws. If you select 'Other State,' the calculator uses the Recovery of Premises Act periods. It is advisable to confirm with a local lawyer or rent tribunal.

How should I deliver or serve the notice?

Notices should be delivered in writing. Best practice is to deliver it personally to the other party and get a signed acknowledgment of receipt, or send it via registered mail or a courier service that provides proof of delivery. Keeping proof of service is vital.

Can the notice period in my tenancy agreement be shorter than the law says?

Yes. Nigerian law (e.g., Lagos State Tenancy Law 2011 s.13(1), Recovery of Premises Act s.8(1)) explicitly states that the statutory notice periods apply only where the tenancy agreement does not specify a period. Therefore, if your contract stipulates a specific notice period—even if it's shorter than the statutory minimum—that contractual period is legally binding and must be used.

What happens if the tenant does not vacate by the calculated date?

If the tenant remains after the notice period expires, the tenancy becomes a "tenancy at sufferance." The landlord can then serve the statutory 7-day 'Notice of Intention to Apply to Recover Possession' (where required by law) and subsequently file a lawsuit in court to obtain a possession order for eviction.

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