Tenants in Osogbo, Osun State, have voiced their concerns over what they describe as exploitative rent increases imposed by landlords, calling for urgent government intervention. Several tenants shared their experiences with the News Agency of Nigeria, highlighting the unbearable financial burden due to rising rental costs.
Mr. Emmanuel Ayanda, a resident of Osogbo, reported his landlord raised his rent from N180,000 to N400,000 for a three-bedroom flat without justification. He lamented the poor condition of the building, stating it is old and lacks basic amenities, yet he is being forced to vacate due to the unaffordable increase.
Miss Feyisayo Akomolafe from Ogoluwa echoed similar sentiments, revealing her rent was increased from N450,000 to N600,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. She expressed concern that such hikes could lead to widespread homelessness, especially in a state where many residents are civil servants struggling to make ends meet.
Other tenants like Mr. Jeremiah Obeh and Miss Glory Adeola also reported significant increases in their rents, with Obeh’s annual rent jumping to N1.1 million and Adeola’s one-room apartment rising from N250,000 to N320,000.
In response to these grievances, some landlords cited the current economic situation as the reason for the rent hikes. Mr. Peter Osinubi noted that the government should take action to address these challenges, while Mr. Abiodun Olowoporoku, Chairman of the Association of Real Estate Managers in Osun, attributed the increases to the greed of some landlords, despite efforts to discourage such practices.
Legislative efforts are underway to regulate housing costs in the state. Mr. Kofoworola Adewunmi, Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, announced that the “Osun State Estate Agency Regulatory Authority Bill 2024” has been passed. This bill aims to protect tenants from exploitation by ensuring that all estate agents are registered and that their fees are regulated.
