The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have been charged to develop rules to control house rents and landlord activities in Abuja by the House of Representatives in a resolution on Wednesday.
The resolution was adopted on the House floor in Abuja subsequent to a motion made by Representative Emmanuel Udo (PDP-Akwa-Ibom).
The congressman requested in the resolution that monthly rent be implemented in order to promote an inclusive rental system and stop the arbitrary increases in house rent in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, Nigeria was ready for an inclusive rental scheme that would ease the financial strain of housing on working-class families.
Additionally, he stated that this would provide low- and middle-class earners with reasonably priced monthly leases.
He maintained that, because of their low pay, the bulk of people living in the Federal Capital Territory are craftsmen and civil servants who work in satellite cities.
He described the FCT’s unjustified rent hike as onerous.
“A self-contained one-bedroom home costs between N1 and N1.5 million, a two-bedroom home costs between N2 and N3 million, and a three-bedroom home costs between N3 and N5 million,” the speaker stated.
He claims that this is because civil officials are currently facing financial hardships in addition to the elimination of fuel subsidies, increased foreign currency rates, higher energy tariffs, and taxes or levies.
He expressed his conviction that a monthly rent payment would offer tenants stability in their income stream, flexibility, improved cash flow management, and appropriate move-out alternatives.
He further urged the Federal Government to build affordable houses for civil servants in Abuja to reduce the burden of paying exorbitant rents.
