House rents: Buea residents decry exorbitant rents
By Shanta Sih
Some inhabitants of Buea, capital of South West Region, who have witnessed the town develop, have explained that in the yesteryears, a student could easily get a comfortable room with a bathroom and kitchen between FCFA 10 000 to 15 000, a month. A family could have a comfortable apartment for a fee ranging between FCFA 30,000 and 50 000 depending on the beauty and location of the house and payment was in installments.
They detail that the narrative isn’t the same today, as new prestigious education institutions keep popping up to add to the already existing University of Buea which since creation has pulled thousands of students to the Town.
With areas like Molyko and Mile 17 amongst others which are highly solicited by students most especially because they’re relatively secure and closer to the schools, landlords seem to be taking advantage of the reality to make brisk business.
However, it doesn’t seem to flourish on both sides as tenants are increasingly lamenting over limited means to meet up with the 1-year total house rents and caution demanded by most landlords.
Despite the fact that it is glaring to everyone that the population of Buea has drastically increased, some tenants still find it unfair for house owners to over-bill people regardless of the current economic crises characterized by price hikes.
“No one can understand what is going on as rents keep adding up every day. Apartments that used to be 50000frs,60000frs are now 100000 and above. Living in Buea, renting a house in Buea has become a thing for the rich.” Matilda laments.
Just like her, others have similar worries but this time, Martins an inhabitant of Buea blames the constant soaring house rents on graduates who refuse to relocate to other towns.
“I think most students who graduated years ago have deliberately refused to return to their home towns, maybe due to the crisis. Most often, there is no space for incoming students with little or no means of accommodation, landlords tend to increase the rents of a few houses available amidst the water scarcity and everyone is treated as a Student.”
Contrary to his opinion, others attribute the high rents to scammers who have flooded the town and are always available to pay the rent without complaining.
“I think it’s as a result of internet fraudsters all around Buea, they pay added amount to what is given and even pay for 2 years.Landlords think there is money and think everyone is the same.”
Many are those who wonder how the situation will look in a few years to come if tenants are not seriously cautioned and sanctioned by authorities of the South West Region.
