The Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dahiru Yusuf Imam, has sponsored a bill seeking to regulate house rent charges imposed by landlords and property owners across the state.
The proposed legislation is aimed at addressing growing concerns over the rising cost of accommodation and increasing rent demands, which residents say have placed significant financial pressure on households.
The bill is particularly expected to provide relief for low-income earners, workers, students and young families who have been affected by escalating rental costs.
If enacted, the proposed law would establish a framework for regulating residential rent while seeking to protect the legitimate interests and rights of both landlords and tenants.
The initiative is also being presented as part of efforts to advance the people-centred agenda of Governor Uba Sani’s administration, which has prioritised policies aimed at improving citizens’ welfare, reducing economic hardship and making government more responsive to residents’ needs.
The bill is currently before the relevant committee of the Kaduna State House of Assembly for detailed consideration.
A public hearing is also being conducted to enable stakeholders, including tenants, landlords, property owners, estate professionals, developers, civil society organisations and other interested groups, to present their views and recommendations on the proposed legislation.
Stakeholder participation is expected to help ensure that the final law reflects the realities of Kaduna’s housing sector and strikes a balance between curbing excessive or exploitative rent charges and protecting property owners’ rights.
By sponsoring the bill, Speaker Yusuf Imam is seeking to position the Assembly to address one of the issues with direct implications for the daily lives and economic well-being of residents.
The Assembly said it would continue to engage relevant stakeholders throughout the legislative process to ensure that the proposed legislation is practical, fair and responsive to the housing needs of people across Kaduna State.