Bambili students decry landlord exploitation amidst deteriorating living condition
By Charity Nginyu
Students residing in J&D Residence, situated on Bambili Tangang Street, Bamenda in the North West Region of Cameroon have shared their harrowing experiences of exploitation and neglect by their landlord.
Recounting their ordeal to CNA, one student described the deteriorating living conditions, highlighting the daily struggles tenants face.
“When we got to our Hostel, an apartment that doesn’t have constant water supply,” lamented the student, shedding light on the dire lack of basic amenities. He says the absence of essential utilities has plunged residents into hardship, making their daily lives immensely challenging.
Moreover, the student revealed, “It’s in a very unsecured zone where Amba boys harass us daily.”
The student went on to detail the financial burdens imposed by the landlord, stating, “We used to pay 80k per month for an apartment that’s 960k for 12 months.” However, the situation has recently taken a turn for the worse as the landlord suddenly increased the rent to 100k per month, leaving tenants struggling with escalating costs.
Adding to the distress, the student recounted, “All her tenants paid their rent in November but she just came with a communique and canceled everything.”
The arbitrary decision to nullify existing rental agreements has plunged tenants into uncertainty and instability, worsening their already precarious situation.
Unveiling the underlying motives behind the landlord’s actions, the student alleged, “The landlady took a loan from the bank to build the Hostel and she’s putting pressure on the poor students to pay the loan and start making profits.”
The student further expressed outrage at the exorbitant rental rates imposed by the landlord, emphasizing that, “She even increased the studios which are very very small to 750k per month.”
This said exploitation, coupled with the deplorable living conditions, has sparked widespread condemnation among residents.
The students are calling for urgent intervention to address the injustices they face.
This instance serves as a vivid illustration of the prevalent struggles endured by students, not confined to Bamenda alone but extending to educational hubs like Buea in the South West region.
