Ruth NWORIE
Tenants in Rumuigbo, Obio /Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have expressed concern over persistent increases in house rent, describing the situation as unbearable amid Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions.
One of the affected residents, Mrs. Chukwu Grace Emeka, said the steady rise in rent has made life increasingly difficult for families already struggling to survive.
According to her, living in Port Harcourt has become more expensive, as residents battle to feed their families, clothe their children and pay school fees, yet landlords continue to raise rent without regard for tenants’ circumstances.
She noted that once landlords announce new rent figures, tenants who complain are often asked to vacate their apartments, only for new tenants to be quickly brought in.
Grace blamed house agents for what she described as unchecked and unreasonable rent hikes, saying such practices were not common in the past.
Speaking on the
situation, she said:
“People are suffering because of house rent. Is it our president that caused it? Imagine people that built houses in 2015. We were paying ₦150,000 or ₦200,000 for a self contained apartment. From nowhere, they just wake up and say self contained is now ₦500,000, some ₦900,000, some even ₦1,000,000, and I am asking why?”
She stressed that many tenants could barely afford the previous rent levels, let alone the new rates.
“Even ₦200,000, some people could not meet up. Most of these houses are old houses; it is not as if they are new. Yet they will tell people to pay ₦500,000, ₦900,000 or ₦1,000,000 for a self contained apartment. Will they say it is the president’s fault too? Is that not wickedness?”
Calling for government intervention, she appealed for urgent action to ease the burden on tenants.
“This house rent issue, the government should come and hear our cry and help us because we are dying.
The government should stop these agents because they are the major cause.”
She alleged that some agents inflate prices even when they cannot afford such rents themselves.
“Imagine agents that cannot pay ₦300,000 where they are staying, but they will bring somebody to rent a house for ₦800,000, ₦900,000 or ₦1,000,000 for a self contained apartment.”
Grace explained that the pressure of rent is affecting families’ health and well being.
“Imagine someone with five children, paying school fees and running a small business. How will you gather money to pay house rent? Is that not killing people alive? That is why people are overthinking day and night; that is why blood pressure is rising.”
She added that landlords often make no effort to renovate old buildings before increasing rent.
“Some of them cannot even renovate. They will just tell you, if you do not want it, pack out. Once they say that, before you know it, agents will bring another person and collect money.”
She further criticised the commission charged by house agents, describing it as exploitative.
“Again, how can agents be collecting 20 per cent? Imagine a house of ₦500,000 and the agent is collecting 20 per cent instead of ₦50,000. It is not fair.”
According to her, some agents influence landlords unfairly.
“Agents are the ones causing these issues. Some of them cannot even afford ₦180,000 where they are staying, yet they come and spoil landlords’ minds. Some landlords are also wicked. How can you allow agents to decide what to do with your own property?”
She warned that failure to address the issue could worsen living conditions, especially for low income earners and civil servants.
“Government should come and help us in this house rent issue. Imagine a civil servant earning ₦100,000 monthly. How will you pay house rent, feed, and pay children’s school fees?”
