Ekiti State Establishes Tribunal to Curb Arbitrary House Rent Increases
Ekiti State Establishes Tribunal to Regulate Rising House Rents
The Government of Ekiti State has moved to address escalating housing costs by establishing a specialised tribunal to regulate house rents and protect tenants from arbitrary rent hikes and excessive agency charges, authorities confirmed on February 23, 2026. The initiative reflects rising concerns over housing affordability as demand for accommodation outpaces supply in key urban centres.
Government Response to Rising Rental Costs
In response to growing public outcry over steep and often unregulated rent increases, the Ekiti State Government announced the formation of the Estate Agents Committee, a tribunal comprising representatives from government, estate agents, landlords, and other housing stakeholders. The tribunal is charged with examining complaints, standardising rental practices, and recommending regulatory interventions to promote fair pricing.
Dr Gboyega Oloniyo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing and Mortgage Development, noted that the state’s enhanced profile as an investment destination has attracted migrants seeking accommodation, placing upward pressure on rental costs. He said the government cannot “fold its arms” while residents are burdened by sharp increases and multiple ancillary charges imposed by property agents and landlords.
Key Mandates and Policy Objectives
The tribunal will serve three main functions:
Address Arbitrary Rent Hikes: Review and address instances where rents are increased without clear justification, especially following public infrastructure improvements.
Regulate Estate Agents: Monitor and recommend standards for estate agent practices, including commissions and so-called “all-inclusive facility fees” that significantly raise costs for tenants.
Recommend Legal Frameworks: The Ekiti State House of Assembly will work to provide “legal teeth” for the committee’s recommendations, including potential legislation to enforce fair rent structures and streamline market practices.
Yomi Ayorinde, Chair of the House of Assembly Committee on Lands, Housing and Physical Planning, emphasised the need for a robust legal framework to uphold the tribunal’s findings and make affordable housing outcomes enforceable.
Context: Rising Housing Costs in Ekiti
Ekiti’s intervention comes amid sustained rent inflation in the state’s housing market. Recent data reveal significant increases in accommodation costs in key urban and academic hubs such as Ado-Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti, Ikere-Ekiti, and Iyin-Ekiti. Single-room units now attract annual rents between ₦80,000 and ₦150,000, while two-bedroom flats in prime locations can fetch between ₦400,000 and ₦500,000 per annum figures that residents increasingly describe as burdensome relative to local incomes.
Persistent rent pressures have led some tenants to relocate to outlying areas, elevating secondary costs such as transport and daily expense burdens. Community and educational leaders have warned that unchecked rent surges could dampen the state’s appeal as an education and employment destination.
Government and Stakeholder Collaboration
Officials have called for collaboration between landlords, agents, and community leaders to voluntarily moderate rent levels and improve housing standards. Dr Oloniyo also appealed to the Federal Government to address higher construction costs a key driver of rent increases citing broader national policy goals under the Renewed Hope agenda.
Mary Oso-Omotosho, Director-General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Community Communications, affirmed that sustained engagement will be central to finding long-term solutions, stressing that the tribunal will also monitor agent activities and recommend additional regulatory actions as needed.
Ekiti State’s establishment of an estate agents tribunal marks a proactive step in tackling the region’s rising house rental costs. By institutionalising a platform for oversight, regulation, and legal reform, the government aims to enhance tenant protection, encourage fair market practices, and improve housing affordability. The effectiveness of these measures will depend on subsequent legislative backing and the willingness of market actors to adopt more equitable pricing standards.
