According to multiple occupants—some of whom have lived and run businesses on the premises for more than a decade—the situation escalated after they were issued a sudden seven-day quit notice on May 13. The notice, they argue, did not follow appropriate legal channels, and the eviction was carried out in a manner that disregarded their rights.

One of the affected residents, Mr. Vincent Uba, who identified himself as the National Coordinator of the Tinubu Support Group, described the move as a misuse of both legal and security apparatus. “They blocked our entrance with heaps of sand, effectively locking in our vehicles and cutting off access. The police were not there to maintain peace but to amplify pressure on us,” he said.

Uba further alleged that officials from the Zone 2 Police Command in Onikan detained some of the tenants, including himself, after a petition was filed by the buyers’ legal representatives and backed by the Oyo State Ministry of Justice. He described the incident as “an attempt to criminalize a civil matter involving tenancy rights.”

The tenants are calling for an investigation into the alleged abuse of police authority and a review of the eviction process, insisting that due process must be followed in property disputes to preserve citizens’ rights and uphold the rule of law.

The post Lagos Tenants Cry Foul Over Alleged Unlawful Eviction, Police Intimidation appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The cost of renting homes in Lagos continues to rise, leaving many residents struggling and calling for government intervention.

Damilola Adebayo’s 71-year-old father recently relocated after his former landlord sold the house he was renting. In Lagos’ Agege area, he paid N260,000 for a single room—without basic self-contained facilities. Adebayo contributed N120,000 to secure the space despite living in Ibafo, Ogun State, while working in Ikeja.

He shared how two of his friends are also struggling to raise N370,000 for a single room, accusing landlords of exploiting tenants despite the high cost of construction and maintenance.

Last week, on-air personality Gbemi O.O drew attention to the rent crisis with a post on X, which received 2.4 million views. Her post sparked reactions from frustrated tenants, including @demolarashid, who faced a 400% rent increase, and @AdeyefAbiola, whose landlord doubled his rent.

Calls for Rent Regulation Grow

Yetunde, a tenant in Ikeja, revealed that her rent rose from N700,000 to N900,000, a 29% increase, despite no improvements to the property. She urged the government to regulate rent, ensuring tenants aren’t at landlords’ mercy.

Joshua, another tenant, echoed similar concerns, criticizing the growing demand by landlords for two years’ rent upfront. Faith, who commutes from Ogba to Ikeja, also called for government intervention through rent control policies.

Landlords Cite High Building Costs

Landlords attribute rent hikes to rising construction expenses. Adeniyi Adenekan explained that the price of cement rose from N4,000 to nearly N10,000, alongside increasing government levies. Although he hasn’t raised rents in three years, he understands why others have, noting some landlords depend solely on rental income.

Suraj Ogundijo also pointed to inflation and soaring material costs as key drivers of rent increases.

Real Estate Agents Blame Economic Conditions

Chief Dozie Ebikam, Vice Chairman of APICAN, Ogba Branch, noted that property prices surged following fuel subsidy removal. He revealed that a three-bedroom flat in an estate that cost under N1 million in 2022 now exceeds N3 million.

Ebikam dismissed claims that agents cause rent inflation, asserting they only benefit when people can afford to rent. He supported rent regulation to ensure fairness between old and new properties.

Monthly Rent System Considered

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu proposed a monthly rent system in 2021 to ease tenants’ financial burdens. Special Adviser on Housing, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, confirmed plans to implement the scheme by early 2025, starting with the public sector.

Ebikam welcomed the policy, citing similar practices in developed countries, which ease financial strain and promote better money management. However, landlords like Adenekan and Ogundijo opposed the move, warning that it might worsen financial pressure on tenants.

Housing Deficit Worsens Rental Market

Lagos’ rent crisis is exacerbated by a housing deficit exceeding three million units. A 2024 report by BuyLetLive revealed that 98.5% of Lagos residents live in rented apartments. The report also highlighted that areas like Yaba, Surulere, and Gbagada are in high demand but lack sufficient housing to meet rising needs.

With inflation, fluctuating exchange rates, and surging building costs, rental prices continue to climb, deepening concerns among tenants.

Efforts to reach Lagos State officials for comments were unsuccessful at the time of this report.

Source: WHISTLER

The post Rising Rent Crisis in Lagos: Tenants Demand Government Intervention as Housing Costs Surge appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The landlord, in his 30s, Our Source gathered, was accused of terrorizing his tenants and stealing their belongings, including food items and household valuables.

According to residents, Obong Ete’s actions had become a recurring problem, with many attempts to reform him failing.

“He has been doing this for a long time, and it’s good that he’s finally been publicly disgraced.

“Many times, youth leaders and vigilante groups have traced stolen items to his apartment, and beaten him up,” said John Akpan, a resident.

The tenants and neighbours, who were preparing for Sunday worship, confronted Obong Ete and subjected him to a severe beating, using horse whips, canes, and planks.

After the beating, the youth leaders forced him to swear an oath that he would not continue to steal or terrorise them.

Obong Ete, who was left battered and bruised, apologised for his actions and promised to change his ways.

He also agreed that if he ever stole again, his neighbours were free to mete out any measures deemed fit.

The youth leaders also suspected a young man who cohabited with Obong Ete of being an accomplice and forced him out of the landlord’s apartment, warning him never to return to the community.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, condemned the brutalisation of Obong Ete, advising that such cases should always be handed over to the police.

Source: tribuneonlineng

The post Cross River: Tenants flog landlord for alleged theft appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The initiative, as discussed with our source in Abeokuta, seeks to strengthen the enforcement of existing tenancy laws and promote accountability within the housing sector.

Mr. Jacob Famodimu, a lawyer and Chairman of Fountain Hillip Associates and Co., emphasized that a defaulters register would compel the government to formulate precise policies addressing housing sector challenges. “Defaulters are rarely reported because tenants fear losing their accommodation,” Famodimu explained. “Additionally, current laws are insufficient to effectively identify and penalize defaulters.”

Famodimu also criticized the rapid escalation of house rents, attributing it to the shortage of available accommodation. “The demand consistently surpasses supply, forcing landlords to evict tenants through notices to quit,” he stated. He further highlighted that landlords often cite personal use as a pretext for recovery of premises, even when such grounds are unfounded. Moreover, he pointed out that many state tenancy laws prohibit the collection of advances exceeding two years for periodic tenancies, complicating the landlord-tenant relationship.

Echoing these concerns, Mr. Bolaji Ajiwe, Chairman of Ifesowopo Community Development Association (CDA) in Warewa, Ogun, called on state governments to organize meetings involving tenants and landlords to address unreasonable rent hikes. “It’s imperative to foster dialogue between stakeholders to mitigate the financial strain on both parties,” Ajiwe asserted.

Adding to the discourse, Human Rights Advocate and government official Mr. Sunday Olowoyobiojo identified multiple factors exacerbating landlord-tenant discord, including job losses, high cost of living, and arbitrary increases in tenancy rates. “From the landlords’ perspective, issues such as living beyond their means and reliance on property income contribute to tensions,” Olowoyobiojo noted. He recommended that the government undertake periodic reviews of tenancy agreements and rental rates to strengthen landlord-tenant relationships.

In a related statement, Mr. Paul Ayeni, an ex-Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), urged tenants to uphold their responsibilities by paying rent punctually, maintaining cleanliness, and adhering to community laws. “Respecting these obligations can significantly reduce conflicts and foster a harmonious living environment,” Ayeni advised.

NAN reports that tenancy agreements, whether formal or oral, delineate the terms and conditions of occupancy, including tenants’ rights to a written agreement, receipt of payments, peaceful occupation, and protection against invalid quit notices. Conversely, landlords are entitled to receive rent, renew tenancies, ensure property maintenance, and issue quit notices under legitimate circumstances.

As stakeholders seek comprehensive solutions to the housing sector’s challenges, the proposed mandatory registry for tenancy defaulters stands out as a pivotal measure to enhance transparency, accountability, and fairness in landlord-tenant relationships across Nigeria.

The post Landlords and Tenants Urge Government to Establish Mandatory Registry for Tenancy Defaulters appeared first on Housing TV Africa.