Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has issued a stern warning to property agents across the state, declaring that his administration will soon launch a sweeping enforcement operation against those who exploit tenants by imposing illegal and arbitrary charges. The governor, who spoke on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Mgbuka Obosi, a bustling commercial hub in the state, said the era of impunity in the rental housing sector was over.
Soludo’s statement comes amid growing public outcry over the skyrocketing cost of housing in Anambra, where a modest two‑bedroom apartment in major cities like Awka and Onitsha now commands an average annual rent of ₦1.5 million, up from ₦500,000 in 2024. “I heard that after tenants pay their house rent, agents still collect additional fees from them,” the governor told a gathering at Mgbuka Obosi. “House agents in Anambra State should get ready, we are coming for them soon.”
For years, tenants in Anambra have complained of being squeezed by a web of extortionate charges from agents, including agency fees of 10 per cent of the annual rent, legal fees for simple tenancy agreements, caution fees, and even inspection fees. In some cases, the charges have become so excessive that they rival the rent itself, with reports of agents demanding as much as ₦300,000 for a single transaction. One resident told South‑East PUNCH that in 2022, a two‑bedroom flat in Onitsha cost between ₦300,000 and ₦500,000, but the same unit now rents for between ₦800,000 and ₦1.5 million, with landlords and agents introducing new charges such as “ego oji” and service fees.
Soludo’s government has been working on a comprehensive Rent Control Law to regulate the housing sector. The Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, had earlier disclosed that the legislature was finalising the bill, which is designed to regulate house rents, agency charges, and other housing sector activities. “The Rent Control Law is receiving finishing touches. It is not just about rent regulation; it will also address issues relating to agents and other practices in the housing sector,” Udeze said. The law is expected to bring relief to residents and restore sanity to the system by protecting tenants from arbitrary charges and promoting fairness and transparency.
The Anambra State Executive Council has also resolved to develop a comprehensive policy on mass housing to tackle rising rents and encourage stronger public‑private partnerships in the sector. The government said it would address the supply side to tackle the twin issues of rising house rents and housing deficits.
Residents have welcomed the governor’s intervention. Many have expressed hope that the new law will curb the excesses of agents and landlords. A resident in Onitsha, Godwin Ike, said: “The increase and new charges they introduced, something unheard of in the past, now stifle tenants. If no drastic measure is taken by relevant authorities, thousands of people, especially low‑income earners, might face a shelter crisis.”
As the enforcement operation looms, property agents and landlords who have grown accustomed to charging arbitrary fees are now on notice. The governor’s message is clear: the days of using tenants to fund a luxury lifestyle are over. For tenants across Anambra, the promise of relief may finally be within reach.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com ✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments