To curb the rising cases of rent and commission collection and protect tenants, a stakeholders' meeting was held with members of the Estate Rent and Commission Agents Association on Wednesday.
The government reiterated its commitment to protect tenants and clean the housing sector across the state.
The government also said that there is a need to regulate the activities of house agents, noting that the government cannot dictate the amount to be charged as rent by property owners, but such practices can be regulated by law.
Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development Akin-Funmilayo Williams hosting leaders of the association in his office
He explained that this is why the association was invited to the meeting to brainstorm and find a permanent solution to the issue.
Also read: Oyo@50: State to launch health awareness campaign in LGAs, to open Hall of Fame soon
He said there was a trending issue in which a radio station in the state had attached his photograph in the report claiming that the house rent was very high, and he was asked to take action on the matter.
The Commissioner further said that the House of the State Assembly debated a similar issue during its meeting on Monday and expressed the view that a law regulating the activities of estate agents would be enacted soon.
The Commissioner explained that, before this happened, he decided to hold discussions with stakeholders to develop a position that could be presented to the House of Assembly to guide its deliberations, adding that this would ensure that any legislation ultimately enacted would not be done in isolation but would reflect the contributions of the Ministry and practitioners who are directly involved in the sector.
Charging the association to come up with a clear position on the issue which will be sent to the House of Assembly for further proceedings, he stressed that, it would not be appropriate for the ministry to sit back and dictate the percentage to be charged by the agents.
“Rather, field practitioners should provide guidance, which the Ministry will review, form opinions and develop recommendations to forward to the House of Assembly for consideration.
Some of these inputs may be adopted and eventually incorporated into a law that will be binding on all, he added, adding that enforcement can only happen if a law exists, noting that without a law, enforcement is not possible.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Oyo State Estate Rent and Commission Agents Association, Okekunle Mutahir, commended the state government, noting that most of the policies of the present government have positively supported their operations.
The improved level of security in the state has encouraged many people to relocate and settle in Oyo State, he said, adding that the association is aware of the concerns raised and has been working on the issues for over a year.
Okekunle said inspection fees have become a medium through which some bad eggs extort members of the public, noting that the practice was abolished by the association as early as January last year.
He urged the government to support the association in rooting out such unscrupulous elements.
