Background of the Study
Rental price regulation is a policy designed to control the amount that landlords can charge tenants for rental properties. It is often implemented to protect tenants from excessive rents and to ensure that housing remains affordable, particularly in urban areas where demand for rental properties is high (Ogunleye & Adebayo, 2024). In Nigeria, rental price regulation is not uniformly enforced, and in many states, including Benue State, landlords set rental prices based on market conditions, often leading to rent hikes that tenants find difficult to afford.
Benue State, with its growing urban population, faces challenges related to the affordability of rental housing, especially for low- and middle-income earners. The absence of effective rental price regulation in the state has resulted in growing dissatisfaction among tenants, leading to disputes and strained landlord-tenant relationships. Rental price regulation has the potential to reduce conflicts by establishing clear guidelines for rent amounts, thus creating a more balanced and fair rental market. However, the effectiveness of such regulation in Benue State has not been fully explored.
This study aims to evaluate the effect of rental price regulation on landlord-tenant relationships in Benue State, focusing on how price controls influence the dynamics between landlords and tenants, the overall rental market, and tenant satisfaction. The research will provide insights into whether rental price regulation can serve as an effective tool for improving landlord-tenant relations and ensuring affordable housing in Benue State.
Statement of the Problem
The lack of effective rental price regulation in Benue State has resulted in rising rents that are not aligned with tenants' ability to pay, creating friction in landlord-tenant relationships. Without price regulation, landlords may be incentivized to raise rents arbitrarily, which can lead to disputes, evictions, and tenant dissatisfaction. This study will examine the potential benefits and challenges of implementing rental price regulations in improving landlord-tenant relations and ensuring affordable rental housing in Benue State.
Objectives of the Study
Research Questions
Research Hypotheses
Ho1: Rental price regulation has no significant effect on landlord-tenant relationships in Benue State.
Ho2: Rental price regulation does not significantly affect tenant satisfaction and housing affordability in Benue State.
Ho3: There are no significant challenges or opportunities associated with implementing rental price regulation in Benue State.
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study will focus on rental price regulation in Benue State and its effect on landlord-tenant relationships. Limitations include the potential difficulty in obtaining data on rental price regulations from local authorities and landlords, as well as the subjective nature of tenant satisfaction.
Definitions of Terms