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HomeOpinionInside Osogbo’s Rental Maze: How Rogue Agents Are Bleeding Tenants Dry

Inside Osogbo’s Rental Maze: How Rogue Agents Are Bleeding Tenants Dry

By Abioye Tosin Lawrence

….rental process turns into a cash cow, milking tenants dry

In the heart of Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, a quiet racket is thriving, one that leaves tenants frustrated, financially strained, and often without recourse. The culprits? A growing number of unscrupulous house agents who have turned the rental process into a cash cow, exploiting the housing demand with impunity.

From inflated agency fees to arbitrary inspection charges, these agents have weaponized desperation. Prospective tenants report being charged between ₦5,000 to ₦10,000 just to view properties, many of which are either unavailable or falsely advertised. Once a suitable apartment is found, tenants are slammed with multiple layers of payment: agency fees, agreement fees, and sometimes even “consultancy” charges, all without proper documentation or transparency.

This chaotic ecosystem thrives due to a lack of regulation. With no central body to license or monitor agents, anyone with access to a vacant apartment can pose as a middleman. Landlords, seeking convenience, often turn a blind eye, enabling these agents to operate unchecked.

Meanwhile, many residents are calling for reform. Legal practitioners and civic groups in Osun State have begun advocating for the establishment of a state-wide tenancy regulatory framework, one that would standardize fees, mandate proper documentation, and hold agents accountable.

Until such measures are enforced, renters in Osogbo are left to navigate a minefield of shady dealings, hoping to find not just shelter, but fairness.

Conclusion:

The Osogbo housing market is in urgent need of cleansing. While the demand for homes continues to rise, so does the call for transparency, accountability, and justice for tenants. For every fraudulent agent empowered by silence, there must be a voice demanding reform.

 

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