Residents of Port Harcourt are raising concerns over the steady increase in house rent, as the cost of accommodation continues to climb across the city.
Many tenants attribute the surge to the activities of housing agents, accusing them of introducing excessive charges and multiple fees that drive up the overall cost of securing a home. Some residents also claim that landlords have relinquished control of rent pricing to agents, allowing them to dictate terms.
However, house agents have pushed back against the allegations, insisting they do not have the authority to arbitrarily fix or increase rent. According to them, the rising cost of living and broader economic pressures are the primary factors behind the upward trend. 
Landlords, on their part, have defended the increases, pointing to the high cost of building materials, maintenance, and property management. They argue that sustaining rental properties has become significantly more expensive, leaving them with little choice but to adjust prices.
With tensions rising among stakeholders, residents are calling on the Rivers State Government to step in and regulate the housing sector, in a bid to make accommodation more affordable and transparent.
