· Addis Fortune
Addis Abeba Housing Bureau Warns Landlords against Illegal Rent Hikes, Threatens Legal Action
Topics:Law and policyMarket
Summary of the Addis Fortune report
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.
Key points
- The Housing Development and Administration Bureau warned landlords against unauthorised rent increases and unlawful evictions.
- About 500,000 rental properties are registered in a central city database.
- Lease agreements run for a minimum of two years, and only the government can adjust rents.
- Tenants can escalate disputes from Woreda offices to district administrations and then to the central Housing Bureau.
Real.et analysis
Addis Fortune reports that the Addis Ababa Housing Development and Administration Bureau warned landlords against unauthorised rent increases and unlawful evictions. The warning came as the residential lease cycle neared its June 30 deadline, after reports that some landlords pushed tenants out with claims of personal use or sale.
What this means for renters
The Bureau's head set out the rules in plain terms. A lease runs for at least two years. A landlord cannot change the rent alone. Only the government can approve an increase, based on market assessments and economic indicators. No increase was approved for 2024/25. The city later set an annual cap of 11.5 percent from July 8, 2026.
If your landlord demands more rent or asks you to leave, take these steps:
- Confirm that your lease is registered. The city holds about 500,000 rental properties in a central database. Registration gives you an official record of the agreed rent and terms.
- Ask for the legal basis in writing. A demand for a rise above the approved level, or a sudden eviction notice, may break the rules.
- Use the complaint ladder. Start at your Woreda office. If that fails, go to the district administration, then to the central Housing Bureau.
- Keep evidence. Save your lease, receipts and any messages about rent or eviction.
Personal use and sale are common reasons that landlords give to end a lease. Before you agree to move, ask your Woreda office how the rules treat these claims.
What this means for landlords
Landlords should register leases and follow the official adjustment level. The Bureau threatens legal action against violations. A side agreement for a higher rent may not hold if a tenant complains, because the database records the registered rent.
Read our guide to renting an apartment in Addis Ababa for lease basics. For the current limit, see our article on the 11.5 percent rent increase cap. Compare prices on our apartments for rent and houses for rent pages.