House rent hike shouldn’t exceed 20% of existing cost –Reps

By Maduka Nweke

The House of Representatives has condenmed the increase in rent across the country, urging for not more than 20 per cent of  existing rent.

This development followed a motion moved by the member representing Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency, Bassey Akiba, on the “Need to Regulate Arbitrary Rent Increase and Protect Tenants from Exploitation.”

The House wants the Federal Government to prioritise investing in affordable housing, ensure access to low-cost housing for citizens, and reduce pressure on the rental market.

Recall that in Lagos State, the State House of Assembly in April called on the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to enforce the full implementation of the Tenancy Law of Lagos State 2015.

The House also urged the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, to intensify public awareness campaigns to educate residents on the provisions of the Tenancy Law.

According to the lawmakers, the reason was part of efforts to address the persistent issue of arbitrary rent increases by landlords across the state.

The resolutions followed a motion moved by Sa’ad Olumoh, who stressed the need to curb excessive rent increments that are worsening the housing crisis in the state.

He cited Section 37 of the Tenancy Law, which prohibits unreasonable rent hikes and provides legal recourse for tenants subjected to such increments.