Housing: Reps Propose Rent Increase Not More Than 20%

The House of Representatives has decried the arbitrary rent increases in Nigeria, calling for no more than 20 per cent of the existing rent, irrespective of infrastructure improvements or other factors.

This followed a motion 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 is urging the Federal Government to prioritise investing in affordable housing initiatives, ensure access to low-cost housing for citizens, and reduce pressure on the rental market.

Meanwhile, the House has passed a resolution asking the Inspector General of Police and the Controller General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to direct policemen at checkpoints operating in plain clothes to be fully kitted with proper identification.

The lawmakers expressed concern that the lack of identification for the security officials was not in line with international practices and did not allow for officer accountability.

Lagos Tenancy Law

Worried by the arbitrary rent increases in Lagos State, the Lagos 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.