By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo
Residents of Osogbo, the Osun State capital, have expressed deep frustration over the sudden and steep increase in house rents by landlords and real estate agents.
Many accused property owners and their agents of exploiting the current economic situation to extort innocent citizens who are struggling to secure accommodation within the metropolis.
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that the cost of renting a single-room apartment has surged dramatically. Until recently, such apartments went for about N3,000 per month, but tenants are now being asked to pay between N6,000 and N7,000 monthly.
In addition to the rent hike, prospective tenants are being subjected to exorbitant agency fees. Some house agents reportedly charge between N20,000 and N30,000 for a single room excluding the actual rent.
This development means that a “face-me-I-face-you” apartment, which used to be affordable for low-income earners, now costs betweenN80,000 andN90,000 per year.
As a result, many residents who cannot afford these skyrocketing fees have been forced to seek refuge in unconventional places, including churches and friends’ houses, while they continue their desperate search for accommodation.
Mrs. Mary Ojo, a resident of Osogbo who spoke with our correspondent, shared her ordeal. She explained that she had been searching for an affordable single-room apartment for months without success.
“I’ve kept my belongings in a church and I’m currently staying with a friend. “I deliberately avoided using agents because they are exploiting innocent house seekers. But now, getting a house in Osogbo has become a tough battle. Most landlords have handed their houses over to agents, and that has been the major reason behind the constant yearly increment,” she said.
Similarly, Mr. Abass Kolawole, a landlord in the Aregbe area of Osogbo, offered a different perspective on the situation.
According to him, the rent hike is not arbitrary, but a direct response to the country’s rising inflation.
“Building materials are now very expensive. If you check the cost of maintaining a house, you will understand why the increment is justified. We, too, are affected by the economic situation,” he explained.
Despite this, many residents insist that the situation has gone far beyond what the average citizen can afford. With inflation and unemployment already worsening, the sharp rise in rent has added another layer of hardship to the lives of many Osogbo residents.
“The government needs to intervene before the situation gets out of hand.The exploitation by house agents has become a serious public concern, and only government action can curb this menace through appropriate housing regulations and enforcement measures,” a concerned resident said.
As the housing crisis deepens, citizens are calling on the Osun State Government and relevant agencies to step in, regulate rent prices, and protect vulnerable tenants from further exploitation and homelessness.