Ijebu-Ode Residents Lament Hike In Rent

Some residents of  Ijebu-Ode, Ogun, have expressed worry over the persistent increase in rent by landlords.
e residents of  Ijebu-Ode, Ogun, have expressed worry over the persistent increase in rent by landlords.
The residents told  newsmen that the persistent increment was unjustifiable and exploitative.
They called  on both the state and local governments  to enact laws which would check exploitation of tenants.
The residents further  urged government to commence the construction of  low income houses to help ease their burden.
Mr Aina Obadina, a spare parts dealer, told reporters that his family could no longer  cope with the hike in rent.
He said that the monthly rent for his  three-bedroom apartment  had  been increased from N5, 000 to N10, 000 by the landlord without explanation.
’’This situation is becoming unbearable. Government needs to do something urgent to regulate the activities of these landlords,” Obadina said.
Mrs Abiodun Olagunju, a civil servant in  local government council, said the N1,500 rent she used to pay monthly for her one-bedroom flat had  been increased to N2, 500.
Olagunju explained that all efforts to persuade the landlord to reduce the rent to N2,000, failed.
‘’I pleaded with him when he announced the increase in rent but he refused to listen, saying if I was not comfortable with it,  I could pack out.