Reps propose house rent increase of not more than 20%
The House of Representatives has decried the rampant arbitrary rent hikes across the country, insisting that no rent increase should exceed 20 percent of the current rate even in cases of property upgrades or renovations.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Hon. Bassey Akiba, representing Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency, titled “Need to Regulate Arbitrary Rent Increase and Protect Tenants from Exploitation.”
Lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts toward affordable housing projects, emphasizing that greater investment in low-cost housing would help reduce exploitation in the rental market and provide relief to millions of Nigerians struggling with rising living costs.
In a related resolution, the lawmakers directed the Inspector General of Police and the Controller General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to ensure that security officers at checkpoints who operate in plain clothes are properly identified.
They expressed concern that the absence of clear identification for officers was inconsistent with international standards and hindered accountability.
Earlier, the Lagos State House of Assembly had taken a similar stance against arbitrary rent increases. In April, it urged the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to fully enforce the Lagos State Tenancy Law of 2015.
The Assembly also called on the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, to ramp up public awareness campaigns to educate residents about their rights under the law.
Sa’ad Olumoh, who sponsored the motion, said excessive rent increases were worsening the housing crisis in Lagos. He cited Section 37 of the Tenancy Law, which prohibits unreasonable rent hikes and provides legal remedies for tenants facing such exploitation.
