The steep increase in rent prices within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs has led to significant hardships for residents. However, the most concerning aspect of this issue extends beyond mere inflation. There exists a group of individuals, commonly referred to as house agents, who collude with landlords to deceive prospective tenants, extracting their hard-earned money under various pretexts such as agency fees, caution fees, and legal fees.

Alarmingly, a large majority, approximately 95%, of these individuals operate without proper permits or registration with any regulatory bodies, allowing them to conduct business unchecked.

In light of these challenges, it becomes imperative to introduce regulation within the housing sector in the FCT. Doing so not only addresses the immediate concerns of inflated prices and fraudulent practices but also unlocks substantial economic potential while curbing revenue leakages.

I implore the FCT Minister to prioritize this matter and undertake measures to harmonize the sector. Such efforts should aim for a mutually beneficial outcome for all stakeholders, including the government, landlords, tenants, and authorized caretakers.