Landlords cite soaring building costs as government targets agents and estate operators for alleged exploitation of tenants

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has announced plans to clamp down on excessive housing charges, warning house agents and estate operators against collecting illegal fees from tenants beyond agreed rent payments. The move, revealed on Friday, has drawn mixed reactions in Anambra, with landlords arguing that rising construction costs make it unfair for government to influence rental prices.

The state government is considering reforms that may regulate agency charges, require the registration of real estate agents, and provide new channels for tenants to report exploitation. Governor Soludo stated that his administration was responding to reports of tenants being forced to pay multiple fees in addition to their rent. “I learnt that after tenants pay their house rent, agents still collect additional fees from them. House agents in Anambra State should get ready… we are coming for them,” Soludo said during an address.

However, some landlords and property developers have voiced strong opposition, highlighting the impact of inflation on construction materials. A Nigerian man went viral online after saying, “I can’t be buying a bag of cement for ₦12,000 and you tell me how much I will rent my property.” He added that unless government introduces mass housing schemes or subsidises building materials, efforts to regulate private rents are unsustainable. “If govt wants to crash rent, they should roll out mass housing for low income earners and rent will crash,” he argued on social media.

For years, residents in major cities like Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi have faced high accommodation costs due to agency fees, agreement charges and legal deposits often rivaling or exceeding annual rent. Some tenants allege that these extra charges are now a significant barrier to securing affordable housing. The planned reforms are expected to focus more on regulating the activities of agents and real estate practitioners than imposing direct controls on landlords’ rental prices.

Soludo’s intervention is part of a wider push by the Anambra government against what it describes as exploitative practices in critical sectors. Over the past two years, authorities have increased efforts to bring transparency into property transactions and protect residents from predatory practices. While officials say new regulations will restore order in the housing market, stakeholders warn that without addressing fundamental supply issues—such as construction inflation—the cost burden may persist.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/i-cant-be-buying-cement-for-naira12000-and-you-tell-me-what-rent-to-charge-nigerian-man-reacts-as-soludo-moves-against-excessive-housing-fees-in-anambra-2026062210012541963