In a context marked by a surge in rents across the country, many citizens find themselves impacted by significant increases that are plunging them into a difficult financial situation. This increase in rents, deemed unbearable by many tenants, pushes them to express their discontent and concern about the increasing cost of housing.
Citizens interviewed across different regions of the country agree that the situation has become worrying and requires urgent intervention by federal and state authorities. They advocate for effective implementation of existing rent laws by local governments in order to protect tenants from landlords they describe as sharks and their agents.
In addition, they stress the need for governments at all levels to build affordable housing for low-income workers and to set a ceiling on rents to help tenants. The survey reveals that rents have increased by about 150% in the last two years in several cities, forcing many residents to move to the outskirts to find affordable housing.
For example, in Kano, some tenants lament the increasing difficulty of paying rents in the capital, with landlords increasing rents at will. In upscale areas such as Nasarawa GRA, Bompai and Badawa, rates for two- and three-bedroom apartments have increased significantly. High construction costs, tripling according to the Vice President of the Kano Property Agent Development Association, Sabiu Ado, justify these increases.
As a result, many tenants are faced with sudden and sometimes abusive increases, forcing them to review their budgets and make difficult choices. In this context of economic uncertainty, many landlords justify these increases as a necessity to maintain the profitability of their investments.
On the other hand, tenants are expressing frustration at arbitrary increases that are making their daily lives even more difficult. Some are calling on local authorities to intervene to regulate the rental market and protect tenants from landlord abuse.
Faced with this reality, it is essential that concrete measures are taken to ensure fair access to housing for all. Public authorities must work in collaboration with stakeholders to find sustainable and fair solutions that meet the needs of tenants while taking into account the constraints of landlords. Regulating the rental market, building affordable housing and promoting a respectful and equitable tenant-landlord relationship are avenues to explore to resolve this pressing issue that affects many citizens across the country.