The witty saying that “it is not difficult to come to Lagos, but to return to one’s hometown is very difficult” maybe hilarious but it makes some sense. The cost of living in the state is high and adjudged to be one of the most expensive cities in the world.
In 2009, the Mercer’s Cost of Living Index ranked The Centre of Excellence as the 32nd most expensive city in the world and the 5th most expensive in Africa/ Middle East continents. According to the rankings, it is costlier to reside in Lagos than to live in advance western cities like Barcelona, Berlin and Brussels, and even U.S. locations such as Washington and Los Angeles!
The Lagos States new Rent Bill introduced by the State Assembly and awaiting the signature of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola is indeed a welcome development. The plight of Lagosians under the compulsory two or three-year advance rents collected by many landlords in the state have really become a burden to many families. Many workers whose wages are not adequate for feeding their families are at disadvantage with the existing practice of advance payment.
I believe no worker in the state is paid one year salaries or more in advance, so why should Lagos landlords request residential tenants for advance rents in multiple years? Even, small scale businesses that should titivate the economy of the country are stifled and rendered passive due to the burden of advance payments and high rents. I tend to disagree with those who see this bill as anti-landlords. Lacunas and some provisions in the bill have tilted to the favour of properties owner.
