Lawmaker Reports Landlords To State Assembly Over Excessive Rent Hikes, Laments Consequence

A member of Lagos State House of Assembly, Sa’ad Olumoh, has condemned what he described as excessive rent increment by landlords in the state.

Olumoh lamented that excessive rent increment has led to an increase in the number of homeless people across the state.

The lawmaker who represents Ajeromi Ifelodun Constituency 1, spoke while presenting a motion on ‘matter of urgent public importance’ at the Assembly on Tuesday.

Olumoh, in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Wednesday said that he moved the motion so as to curb excessive rent increments by landlords.

The lawmaker cited Section 37 of the Tenancy Law of 2015, which prohibits unreasonable rent increases and provides legal protection for tenants against this act by landlords.

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Calling for the full implementation of the law, he noted that it outlined the rights and obligations of both parties, including provisions for rent payment, notice periods for termination of tenancy, and dispute resolution.

“The law also sets a limit on how much rent can be paid in advance and prohibits landlords from using ‘self-help’ methods to evict tenants,” he added.

The lawmaker representing Surulere Constituency 1, Desmond Elliot, who seconded the motion, said that because of infrastructural development and renewal designed to make life easier for his constituents, rents have, conversely, skyrocketed.

Another lawmaker, Aro Moshood who represents Ikorodu Constituency 11, explained that many landlords in the state raise rent without considering the income of their tenants.

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The Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, in his reaction, described the issue as a sensitive matter which should be looked into critically.

Obasa while speaking, directed the Committee on Housing, chaired by Ege Olusegun (Ojo Constituency 1), to invite the mover and the seconder of the motion and all concerned stakeholders and related agencies for a meeting towards finding a lasting solution to the problem.

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He said, “Nothing should be looked at in isolation. We need to go beyond the issue of rent increment and consider the cost of building materials. There is a need for an interface between the real estate agents and investors.”