A new controversy has sparked heated debate on social media after a landlord allegedly increased the rent of a female tenant shortly after she renovated her apartment.
The issue came to light following a post by X (formerly Twitter) user @TheBlackoreee, who shared the experience in the comment section of a tweet by Nollywood actress Bolaji Ogunmola, who narrated a similar ordeal.
According to @TheBlackoreee, the incident happened last year and involved a close friend who invested her own money to renovate her rented apartment, only for the landlord to raise the rent afterward.
“One of my friend experienced this particular thing last year, it’s really unfair because she couldn’t keep up with the payment; she had to pack out,” he wrote.
Bolaji Ogunmola, whose tweet has garnered over 330,000 views, condemned the practice, describing it as cruel and exploitative.
“You see that renting of apartments and fixing it up with double of the rent and then your landlord decides on increasing the house rent or you pack out!!! Wickedness of the highest level. God abeg,” she tweeted.
The story triggered widespread reactions from Nigerians online, many of whom shared similar experiences or offered advice.
Mixed Reactions Online
Reacting to the post, @MccradyWaphany wrote:
“Despite the energy/resource channeled into making the place much more comfortable. This is sad.”
@mr_garday shared a different approach:
“I didn’t bother renovating my apartment cuz I’d already paid two years’ rent, and after that he increased it by 150k. Later, he decided to increase the rent of other apartments except my own.”
Another user, @VictoriaIwajomo, blamed weak regulations:
“They do it because they can always get away with it without any consequences. There’s no law in place to stop such an act.”
Offering practical advice, @amiXdominic suggested alternatives:
“There are very solid semi-permanent interior design options you can use in rented apartments that are easily dismantled and reassembled elsewhere. Even ceilings sef. Don’t go crazy renovating another man’s property like it’s Fiona’s castle.”
The incident has reignited conversations around tenant rights, landlord ethics, and the absence of strong legal protections for renters in Nigeria.
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Published by Ejoh Caleb
