Residents of Kaduna metropolis have called on Governor Uba Sani to urgently step in as house rents spiral beyond reach.
In different parts of the city — from Malali to Narayi — landlords are hiking rent by over 100% without prior notice or improvement in property.
“I was paying ₦350,000 annually for my apartment in Unguwan Rimi. Just recently, I received a call from my landlord telling me I now have to pay ₦900,000,” said Mubarak Aliyu.
“We are not against landlords adjusting rent, but tripling it in a single year is unjust.”
Tenants described the situation as “exploitation” and are calling for legislation to regulate rental practices across the state.
“There should be laws to regulate tenancy. This kind of exploitation is unacceptable,” Mubarak added.
“They Don’t Fix Anything. They Just Want More Money”
In areas like Unguwan Dosa, Kakuri, and Kawo, the complaints follow the same rhythm — sudden rent hikes, broken facilities, and no accountability.
“A landlord just calls you and says rent has gone up, without providing any improvements or amenities in the house,” said Musa Baban Fati from Unguwan Dosa.
“They don’t fix anything; they just want more money.”
According to tenants, this trend is making life unbearable for families already struggling with inflation and the rising cost of food and transportation.
They argue that rent payment should be more flexible — monthly or quarterly — to reduce the pressure on low-income earners.
“Even school fees are now paid in instalments, so why can’t rent be done monthly?” asked Hamid Baba, a resident of Kabala.
“Also, landlords should be held accountable if they do not provide basic amenities like water, power, or security.”
Landlords Say They’re Also Struggling
On the flip side, some landlords say the rent hike is not entirely their fault. They point fingers at the surging cost of building materials and labour.
“Building materials and maintenance costs have skyrocketed. We understand the tenants’ pain, but we’re also struggling,” said Umar Maigida, a landlord in Kaduna North.
“However, landlords should be compassionate and reasonable in how they adjust rent.”
Legal experts believe the root of the problem lies in the absence of a strong tenancy law.
“Kaduna needs a formal Tenancy Law that stipulates notice periods, caps on rent increases, mandatory agreements, and a mediation framework to resolve disputes,” said Gloria Sani, a legal practitioner in the city.
Residents are urging the governor to widen his housing policy focus beyond construction to include affordability and tenant protection.
“The governor has shown interest in education, agriculture, and infrastructure. But he now needs to turn his attention to housing more, which is fast becoming a crisis,” said Zainab Mohammed, a community organiser in Barnawa.
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