Kano Assembly moves to check arbitrary rent increases

The Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Ismail Falgore, has called for a review of the state's tenancy law to check arbitrary rent increases, during Monday's plenary session held after a motion by the member representing Takai Constituency, Musa Kachako.

Kachako said landlords were increasingly raising rents without adequate notice, citing instances where annual house rents rose from N100,000 to between N200,000 and N300,000, while shop rents increased from N1 million to N2 million within a year.

He said the trend disproportionately affected traders, farmers and low-income earners, many of whom depended on rented accommodation and business premises for their livelihoods. While acknowledging landlords' right to earn returns on their investments, he stressed the need for regulations that ensure reasonable rent adjustments and protect both parties from unfair treatment.

Supporting the motion, the Deputy Speaker, Muhammad Butu-butu, called for clear guidelines on rent increases and the screening of prospective tenants, citing concerns over the security implications of renting out properties without adequate checks. He also linked the high cost of commercial rents to the difficulties faced by small-scale traders, noting that expensive shops could force some business owners to operate on the streets.

Butu-butu acknowledged that landlords also faced rising construction and maintenance costs, including expenses for repairs and essential facilities, but argued that rent increases should be guided by established standards.

Falgore said the interests of landlords and tenants must be considered in any review of the law. He called for consultations with the state's rent control committee and other relevant stakeholders to identify areas requiring amendments, saying the engagement should produce measures that promote fairness and ease the burden on residents.