By our Reporter
The House of Representatives has condemned the growing trend of arbitrary rent hikes across Nigeria, proposing that future rent increases should not exceed 20 per cent of the existing rate, regardless of infrastructural upgrades or other factors.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Bassey Akiba, representing Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency, on the “Need to Regulate Arbitrary Rent Increase and Protect Tenants from Exploitation.”
Lawmakers urged the Federal Government to prioritise affordable housing initiatives, encourage low-cost home ownership, and reduce pressure on the rental market by increasing public investment in housing development.
In a related development, the House also directed the Inspector General of Police and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure that officers stationed at checkpoints are properly identified and fully kitted, in line with global best practices to enhance accountability.
Meanwhile, in Lagos, the State House of Assembly in April called on the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to enforce the Tenancy Law of Lagos State 2015, amid growing concerns over landlords’ frequent rent increases.
The lawmakers also urged the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, to intensify public enlightenment campaigns to educate tenants on their rights under Section 37 of the Tenancy Law, which prohibits unreasonable rent increments and provides legal recourse for aggrieved tenants.
