The Ekiti State Government has established an estate agents tribunal to address arbitrary rent increases and excessive charges in the property market, as part of efforts to strengthen Ekiti house rent regulation and protect residents from exploitation.
The newly formed body, known as the Estate Agents Committee of Ekiti State, comprises representatives from key stakeholders in the housing sector and is expected to recommend enforceable measures to standardise rental practices across the state.
Government Condemns Arbitrary Rent Hikes
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing and Mortgage Development, Dr Gboyega Oloniyo, announced the initiative in Ado Ekiti during a one-day sensitisation programme themed “Connecting Homeowners and Making Accommodations Accessible to All in Ekiti State.”
Oloniyo expressed concern over what he described as outrageous and unjustified rent increases, particularly in areas benefiting from public infrastructure investments.
According to him, improvements in roads, utilities and urban facilities are often followed by sharp rent spikes imposed by property owners and agents.
He criticised the layering of multiple charges under so-called “all-inclusive facility fees,” noting that some properties advertised at N90,000 eventually cost tenants as much as N220,000 after agency and ancillary fees are added.
Government, he said, would no longer tolerate practices that place undue financial pressure on residents.
Committee to Recommend Legal Backing
The Chairman of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Committee on Lands, Housing and Physical Planning, Yomi Ayorinde, confirmed that the tribunal would produce an actionable report.
He assured stakeholders that the House of Assembly would provide “legal teeth” by converting the committee’s recommendations into enforceable legislation aimed at standardising agency commissions and curbing arbitrary rent increments.
The state legislature, he added, is committed to sanitising the real estate sector and ensuring transparency in rental transactions.
Focus on Affordable and Accessible Housing
Oloniyo highlighted ongoing housing projects under Governor Biodun Oyebanji, noting that new estates are emerging across the state to expand supply.
He stated that the administration’s objective is not merely to increase housing stock but to ensure that homes remain affordable and accessible to ordinary residents.
The Director General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Community Communications, Mary Oso-Omotosho, emphasised that continuous dialogue with landlords, agents and community leaders would be sustained to secure long-term solutions.
The tribunal, she said, will monitor agent activities, review rate structures and recommend regulatory interventions where necessary.
Appeal to Federal Government
Oloniyo also appealed to the Federal Government to address rising building material costs, which he described as a major driver of rent increases.
He expressed optimism that the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would prioritise reforms to stabilise construction input prices and improve housing affordability nationwide.
Regulatory Reform Ahead
Earlier engagements between government representatives and the Estate Rent and Commission Agents of Nigeria, Ekiti State chapter, had signalled the administration’s readiness to introduce comprehensive regulatory frameworks.
Oloniyo reiterated that forthcoming laws would target unprofessional practices and eliminate quack operators from the system.
With the establishment of the tribunal, Ekiti joins a growing number of states exploring regulatory mechanisms to manage rental inflation, enhance consumer protection and strengthen oversight in the real estate sector.
The outcome of the committee’s recommendations—and subsequent legislative action—will determine the long-term effectiveness of Ekiti house rent regulation efforts in stabilising the state’s property market.
