By VERONICA DARIYA

Some residents of Bwari Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed their concerns over the increasing and seemingly arbitrary rent charges for small apartments and mini houses in the district.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, they called for more consideration from landlords, lawyers, and real estate agents in light of the current economic situation.

Mr Alabi Joshua, a public servant and father of five, highlighted that rent prices for one- and two-bedroom apartments in his area have skyrocketed, leaving many struggling to afford basic housing.

?This increase began in 2023. Before that, an average one-bedroom apartment cost between N150,000 and N200,000, with consistent light and water supply.

?A two-bedroom flat would go for N300,000 to N400,000, depending on the house?s condition and amenities.

?Now, these same apartments cost N850,000 for a one-bedroom and more than N1 million for a two-bedroom.

?This is simply outrageous and unreasonable for the average Nigerian,? he explained.?

Joshua further emphasised that additional costs, including caution fees, legal fees, and inspection fees charged by house agents, were making it even more difficult for people to secure homes.

He urged all parties involved in the rental process to be mindful of the financial strain many Nigerians are facing, adding that not all residents have access to ill-gotten wealth.

Similarly, Mrs Rosalie Echoli, another public servant and mother, criticised landlords for charging caution fees in spite of poor maintenance of the properties.

?Most of these houses are old, built seven to ten years ago with inferior materials.

?They deteriorate every year, but few landlords carry out proper maintenance.

?They only do so when a new tenant moves in, doing a quick, subpar renovation that may not last for long,? she said.

Echoli also expressed dissatisfaction with the legal fees, pointing out that landlords should cover the costs of hiring legal practitioners rather than passing the burden onto tenants.

She said, ?Some lawyers even collect a percentage from both the landlord and the tenant, which is excessive and should stop.?

Mr Azuogu Edward, a property agent, clarified that the situation was not entirely as it seemed, noting that the real estate business had also been affected by the economic challenges.

He explained that agents charge an inspection fee of N5,000 for a one-bedroom flat and N10,000 for a two-bedroom flat in Bwari.

?This fee covers transportation costs, as clients may choose not to rent any of the properties shown.?

He also stated that the usual commission was 10-15 per cent of the agreed rental price.

Edward explained that while landlords in the area previously did not charge caution fees, they now include these charges due to the high costs involved in renovating the properties before renting them out again.

?It?s unfortunate that many tenants cause more damage to the properties than they maintain.

?Maintenance should be a shared responsibility between both the house owner and the tenant,? he noted.

He also attributed the rising rent prices to inflation and the increased cost of building materials.

As for the practice of requesting two years? rent upfront, Edward said it largely depends on the landlord?s preferences. (NAN)

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