As landlords in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other parts of the country reportedly increase their rents perhaps in response to the rising cost of living in the country, they should be considerate of their tenants who are also suffering the hardship caused by the economic downturn. Recent news reports indicate that tenants are groaning as landlords, particularly in Abuja, have increased their rents astronomically. Many of the landlords might have resorted to rent increase to boost their disposable income at this time of unprecedented increase in the cost of living, there is need to exhibit compassionate concern for the tenants who may not have the opportunity of raising their own disposable income to be able to pay the new rent if raised too high.
Landlords arealso enjoined to ensure that their decisions in this regard are in tandem with the provisions of the relevant law, where such exists, that protects the interests of both the tenants and the house owners. No doubt, shelter is a basic human need, which is also critical to the enhancement of the dignity of the human person. The indiscriminate rent hike being suffered by tenants across the country is a fall out of government’s failure to provide adequate and affordable housing for the citizens.
It is unacceptable and shameful. Thoughsome past administrations tried to expand activities in the housing sector in the form of schemes, mortgage finance and reforms, especially at the state level, more needs to be done .