By Khadijah Aliyu
The Kano State House of Assembly has called for a review of the state’s rent control law to curb arbitrary increases in residential and commercial rents.
The Speaker, Ismail Falgore, made the call during plenary following a motion raised by the member representing Takai Constituency, Musa Kachako, on the rising cost of renting houses and shops across the state.
Kachako expressed concern over the growing practice of landlords increasing rents without adequate notice to tenants.
He cited instances where annual house rents had risen from one hundred thousand naira to between two hundred thousand and three hundred thousand naira, while shop rents increased from one million naira to two million naira within a year.
The lawmaker said the trend was placing additional financial pressure on traders, farmers and low-income earners who depend on rented accommodation and business premises for their livelihoods.
He acknowledged the right of landlords to earn reasonable returns on their investments but stressed the need for regulations that would ensure fair rent adjustments.
Kachako maintained that 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, which has increased the financial burden on residents and small business owners.
The proposed review is expected to strengthen the legal framework for rent regulation in Kano State and address concerns over excessive increases in property rents.
Editing by Khadija Kubau
