Ekiti State Takes Action Against Unfair Rent Increases
The Ekiti State Government has taken a firm stance against the rising house rents in the state, announcing the establishment of an Estate Agents Committee to address arbitrary rent increases. This new committee will bring together representatives from various stakeholders, including landlords, estate agents, and government officials, to ensure fair and transparent practices in the real estate sector.
Dr Gboyega Oloniyo, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing and Mortgage Development, emphasized that Ekiti’s growing reputation as an investment hub requires a more regulated approach to housing. “We are now an investment hub, and many people will be coming in. They need to have a befitting shelter,” he said. “The government must ensure that people get value for money when it comes to estate rents and valuations.”
Oloniyo made these remarks during a one-day house rent reduction sensitisation programme held in Ado Ekiti. The event, themed “Connecting Homeowners and Making Accommodations Accessible to All in Ekiti State,” brought together key players in the real estate sector, including government officials, landlords, and estate surveyors.
Rising Concerns Over Rent and Charges
Oloniyo highlighted a worrying trend where public infrastructure investments often lead to sharp and sometimes arbitrary rent increases by property owners. He also pointed out the burden of excessive agency charges and “all-inclusive facility fees” on tenants. “These realities have made decent accommodation increasingly unreachable for many ordinary Ekiti residents,” he noted.
He stressed that the government cannot remain passive in the face of such challenges. “People are being cheated now because of layers of obnoxious charges they call a total package,” Oloniyo said. “A landlord will put a house out at N90,000, and it will get to end users at N220,000. Things like this must change.”
To address these issues, Oloniyo urged landlords, estate agents, and community leaders to collaborate with the government. “Today, we are calling on landlords, estate agents, and community leaders to partner with the government by voluntarily reviewing rent levels, improving housing standards, and placing the welfare of Ekiti residents at the center of property decisions.”
Government’s Role in Housing Development
Oloniyo also spoke about the government’s efforts in housing development. “The state government under Governor Biodun Oyebanji is building a lot of estates now,” he said. “There are many houses under this administration that are springing up in nooks and crannies of the state.”
Despite these efforts, he acknowledged that more needs to be done. “In the provision of houses, Ekiti State Government too is doing a lot, but we still need to continue on that strength.” He further appealed to the Federal Government to reduce building material costs, believing that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda would address such concerns.
Legislative Measures to Address the Crisis
Yomi Ayorinde, Chairman of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Committee on Lands, Housing and Physical Planning, emphasized the importance of affordable rents for the economy. “We have listened to one another, we have identified areas where reduction can happen,” he said. “We have reviewed our position, and a committee has been set up. The committee will sit, and it will generate an actionable report.”
Ayorinde added that the House of Assembly would ensure that the report is converted into implementable laws. “We will ensure that legal teeth are provided for such a report, so that we can streamline or standardise the rates being collected by agents.”
Mrs Mary Oso-Omotosho, Director General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Community Communications, reiterated the need for ongoing dialogue. “We will continue to have the conversation, so that we will have a lasting solution to the rate at which house rent is skyrocketing in this state.”
She explained that the committee would monitor estate agents’ activities, advise on rental rates, and intervene where necessary. “They will also help where they need government intervention, especially with regards to legal frameworks that will help them to reduce the activities of quacks among them.”
Enacting Laws to Protect Tenants
Oloniyo previously disclosed that the state government would soon enact laws and regulations to curb arbitrary rent increases. “The governor is interested in making sure that in the real sector, we should moderate and have regulations that will make life easy for the citizens of Ekiti State,” he said.
He added that the governor wants to ensure that housing is not only available but also accessible and affordable. “We will not relent on the issue of the bad eggs; flushing them out is our responsibility. The laws and regulations, by the time they are in place, will solve the issue of landlords raising their house rents arbitrarily.”
Oloniyo concluded by stating, “The laws that will be put in place soon will right the wrongs. The laws are coming.”
