AEAN Delta State Advocates Fair Housing Regulation at Public Hearing on Tenants, Landlords, and Agents Bill

By Paul Ebi

Association of Estate Agents in Nigeria (AEAN), Delta State Branch, led by its Chairman, Comrade Oke Oyibo, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, participated actively in the public hearing on the proposed Bill to Regulate Tenants, Landlords, and Agents held at the Press Center, Delta State House of Assembly Complex, Asaba.

The well-attended session brought together key stakeholders who defended their memoranda before the Committee on Housing, Women Affairs, Girl Child, and Humanitarian Services. Those in attendance included representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Customary Court, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ministry of Housing, Landlords Association, Tenants Association, Rural and Urban Development, Estate Surveyors and Valuers, and the Delta State Police Command, among others.

Speaking during the session, Comrade Oyibo commended the Committee, chaired by Hon. Barr. Bridget Anyafulu, for creating an inclusive platform to address housing issues affecting residents across the state. He emphasized that estate agents should not be blamed as the primary cause of rising house rents, noting that the failure of the government to provide affordable housing and regulate the cost of building materials remains a major challenge confronting the housing sector in Delta State.

While acknowledging that some agents contribute to rent hikes, the AEAN chairman cautioned against such practices, urging agents to operate with integrity. He also condemned the practice where landlords’ wives and children demand a share of agents’ commissions, advising them to focus on collecting rents rather than interfering with agency fees.

The association proposed that:

Agency fees be set at 10% of the rent paid,

Caution fees should not exceed 20% of the rent,

Agreement fees should be 10%, and

For property sales, agents should receive 5% each from both buyer and seller.

AEAN also called for the abolition of the traditional “landlord’s drink”, saying it should be voluntary and not mandatory for tenants. Additionally, the association suggested a 20% rent increment every four years to stabilize the rental market.

In his submission, Comrade Oyibo urged the Delta State Government to build more affordable housing units to ease the shortage of accommodation and reduce pressure on the rental market. He further recommended that all estate agents in the state be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), AEAN Delta State Branch, or any recognized professional real estate body to help curb fraudulent practices.

The association submitted 16 copies of its memorandum for the Committee’s consideration and expressed optimism that the final report would produce a “win-win solution for tenants, landlords, and agents alike.”

Comrade Oyibo concluded by reaffirming AEAN’s commitment to integrity, service, and collaboration with government institutions to ensure a fair and transparent housing system in Delta State.