Delta Urged to Tackle Soaring Housing Costs Amid Worsening Hardship
ASABA/Nigeria: An urgent appeal has gone to the Delta State Government to address the escalating cost of renting homes across the state, as cities like Asaba, Kwale, and Warri become increasingly unaffordable for average residents.
The appeal was made by Chuks Ododo, a concerned citizen, who lamented that Delta State, once a haven for lower- and middle-income earners seeking decent and affordable accommodation, has now become a battleground for families struggling against the twin pressures of inflation and exploitative practices within the housing sector.
Ododo warned that without decisive government intervention, the situation would worsen, leaving more families priced out of their communities. He acknowledged that the effects of inflation, rising building material costs, and unstable foreign exchange rates were contributing factors. However, he noted that many landlords were taking undue advantage of the economic climate by charging exorbitant rents for aging properties, some over 30 years old, without undertaking any renovations or improvements to justify the high prices.
A major driver of the crisis, according to Ododo, is the unregulated activities of house and land agents. He explained that many agents demand between 10 and 20 percent of the rent as agency fees, with additional agreement fees ranging from 5 to 10 percent, significantly inflating the cost of securing a rental property. Compounding the burden, landlords increasingly insist on two years’ rent upfront, alongside damage fees, placing an unbearable financial strain on already struggling families.
Ododo also expressed concern over the impact of internet fraudsters, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo Boys,” who, he said, were willing to pay outrageous rental fees without negotiation. Their actions, he added, have distorted rental market expectations, setting unrealistic benchmarks that hardworking and honest citizens cannot afford, further deepening the housing crisis.
With the housing sector largely unregulated, Ododo warned that the market risks descending into further chaos, fueling inequality, exploitation, and possible social unrest. He stressed the urgent need for government intervention to introduce clear and enforceable regulations that would restore sanity to the sector.
Among the reforms he proposed is the mandatory registration of all house and land agents to ensure professionalism and accountability. He also advocated the establishment of a recognized union or association to regulate agency operations, with agency and agreement fees capped between 2 and 5 percent of the property value. Furthermore, he urged the government to mandate the registration of all rental properties and to restrict landlords from demanding more than one year and six months’ rent upfront.
“These reforms would bring much-needed relief to suffering tenants, restore fairness to the housing market, and create a more inclusive environment for all residents,” Ododo said. “It would also position Delta State as a model of responsive and people-centered governance.”
He emphasized that the time to act is now, cautioning that any further delay could erode public trust and exacerbate economic instability. He argued that robust regulation would not only protect tenants but also strengthen community trust, promote economic growth, and help build a fairer society for future generations.
“Delta State stands at a critical crossroads,” Ododo concluded. “We urge the government to seize this moment to make history by putting the people first and restoring dignity to the housing sector.”
