The Addis Abeba Housing Development and Administration Bureau has issued a warning to landlords attempting to impose unauthorised rent increases or carry out unlawful evictions as the residential leasing cycle nears its statutory June 30 deadline. The warning follows reports of landlords pressuring tenants to vacate properties under claims of personal use or sale, alongside demands for steep rent hikes, according to comments made to state media. Kidist W. Giorgis, Head of the Bureau, said the city has established a structured system to stabilise the rental market, noting that around 500,000 rental properties have been registered in a central database capturing detailed tenancy information, including location, property specifications, rent levels and tenant identities. She stressed that lease agreements are legally set for a minimum of two years, and that landlords cannot unilaterally change rental prices. “Only the government has the mandate to adjust rent prices,” she said, adding that annual adjustments are based on official market assessments and macroeconomic indicators. Kidist noted that no rent increase was approved for the 2024/25 fiscal year following the latest review, while the current assessment is underway to determine whether any adjustments will apply in the next cycle. Until an official announcement is made, landlords are not permitted to demand higher payments. The Bureau urged tenants to assert their legal rights and report violations, stating that disputes can be escalated from Woreda offices to District administrations and ultimately to the central Housing Bureau through a tiered grievance system.

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