The House of Representatives has called for urgent measures to regulate arbitrary rent increases across the country, proposing a nationwide policy that would limit annual rent hikes to no more than 20 percent of existing rates.
The proposal followed the adoption of a motion titled “Need to Regulate Arbitrary Rent Increase and Protect Tenants from Exploitation,” sponsored by Hon. Bassey Akiba, during Thursday’s plenary session.
In his presentation, Akiba said many Nigerians are facing unbearable hardship due to sudden and excessive rent increases by landlords, particularly in major cities. He noted that the situation is worsened by landlords who take advantage of new public infrastructure developments to inflate rents beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.
Citing examples from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Akiba said rents in some neighbourhoods have skyrocketed from ₦800,000 to as high as ₦2.5 million per annum after the completion of new roads and public facilities.
“This wanton exploitation by property owners, who exploit government investments in infrastructure to impose arbitrary rent increases, undermines the welfare of citizens and could push vulnerable Nigerians into crime just to meet inflated rent demands,” he said.
The lawmaker stressed that housing is a basic human need and should not be treated purely as a tool for exploitation. He argued that unchecked rent increases have contributed to the growing homelessness and insecurity in the country, as many tenants are forced out of their homes due to unaffordable rents.
After adopting the motion, the House urged the Federal Government to make investment in affordable housing schemes a top priority, noting that adequate housing remains one of the most critical components of social welfare.
Lawmakers also called on the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to work with state governments to design and implement rent control policies that can be enforced across the country.
Specifically, the House proposed that annual rent increases should be capped at a maximum of 20 percent of the existing rent, regardless of new developments or property upgrades in the area. The lawmakers said such a policy would help protect tenants from exploitation and stabilize the rental market.
“Public infrastructure projects should not become an excuse for landlords to impose unreasonable rent hikes,” the House said in its resolution.
The House further directed its Committee on Housing and Habitat to ensure compliance with the resolutions and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
The committee is expected to liaise with relevant government agencies and stakeholders in the housing sector to develop mechanisms for monitoring rent practices and ensuring adherence to the proposed cap.
Rising rent prices have become a major concern for millions of Nigerians, particularly in urban areas such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, where housing demand far exceeds supply. With inflation and economic challenges deepening, many tenants now spend more than half of their income on rent, leading to growing calls for rent control legislation.
While rent control measures exist in some states, they are rarely enforced. The latest move by the House of Representatives signals a renewed effort to address the issue at the national level and protect tenants from unfair practices.
If implemented, the proposed 20 percent rent cap could mark a significant policy shift aimed at balancing the interests of landlords and tenants while promoting affordable housing for Nigerians.
