The Kano State House of Assembly has called for a review of the state’s rent control law to check arbitrary increases in residential and commercial rents and protect tenants from excessive charges.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Ismail Falgore, made the call during plenary following a motion raised by the member representing Takai Constituency, Musa Kachako, over the rising cost of renting houses and shops across the state.
Kachako expressed concern over the growing practice of landlords increasing rents without giving tenants adequate notice, saying the trend was placing additional financial pressure on residents and small business owners.
He cited instances where annual house rents had increased from N100,000 to between N200,000 and N300,000, while shop rents had risen from N1 million to N2 million within a year.
The lawmaker noted that the situation was particularly affecting traders, farmers and low-income earners who depend on rented accommodation and commercial premises to sustain their livelihoods.
While acknowledging landlords’ right to earn reasonable returns on their property investments, Kachako stressed the need for effective regulation to ensure that rent adjustments were fair and reasonable.
He said reviewing the existing law would help protect tenants from arbitrary increases, while promoting a balanced relationship between landlords and tenants.
The call comes amid growing concerns over the rising cost of accommodation and commercial spaces in Kano State, which has increased the financial burden on households and small-scale businesses.
The proposed review is expected to provide an opportunity to strengthen the state’s legal framework for rent regulation and address concerns over excessive increases in property rents.
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