Tenants urge Mohammed Umaru Bago to halt rent hike in Niger State
Tenants in Niger State have appealed to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago to intervene and stop the planned upward review of house rents, particularly for buildings that have existed for over 20 years without major improvements.
The tenants said the call became necessary due to worsening socio-economic hardship, accusing some landlords of exploitative tendencies amid rising cost of living.
The appeal follows reports of a meeting where landlords allegedly agreed on arbitrary rent increases, regardless of the condition of their properties or whether such houses meet basic habitation standards.
Many tenants noted that while they are not against moderate rent increases especially in houses with amenities like boreholes or wells older buildings lacking essential facilities such as water should not attract higher rents.
A tenant in Fadipe area of Minna, Ishyaku Abel, expressed concern that landlords of aging buildings, some over two decades old and without renovations, are planning to increase rent.
He also raised concerns over reports of tenants being evicted under claims of property sale or renovation, urging the state government to regulate such actions.
According to him, several houses in areas including Fadipe, Dutsen-Kura (Gwari and Hausa), Barkin Sale, Kpakungu and Maitumbi within Minna metropolis are structurally weak and lack basic amenities, posing risks to residents.
Abel called on the government to introduce regulations that will protect tenants from landlords and agents who demand higher rents without maintaining habitable living conditions.
He added that as a landlord in Maitumbi, he has only increased rent twice in 12 years to ease the burden on tenants.
“I have recovered my investment on the house, so whatever I get now is extra,” he said.
Abel further urged the Bago-led administration to consider the economic realities facing residents, particularly civil servants, before allowing any rent increase.
