DRC Lawmaker Defends 5% Rent Increase Cap, Citing Property Depreciation Rules

Kinshasa, July 11, 2026 - National Assembly member Venance Eyanga Mboyo has defended the proposed 5 percent annual cap on rent increases, saying the measure is based on established accounting principles governing the depreciation of real estate assets rather than an arbitrary policy decision. Speaking during an online discussion hosted by journalist Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala, Mboyo explained that the proposed cap, contained in a bill currently under second reading in the Senate, was developed using depreciation standards commonly applied to buildings. According to the lawmaker, buildings constructed with durable materials are generally depreciated over a period of 50 years, equivalent to an annual depreciation rate of about 2 percent. Properties built with less durable materials are typically depreciated over 20 years, corresponding to an annual rate of 5 percent. Mboyo said the proposed rent adjustment ceiling was derived from this latter accounting standard, arguing that the figure reflects recognized property valuation principles rather than a politically determined limit. The proposed legislation seeks to regulate rent increases by limiting annual adjustments to 5 percent of the initial rental amount, as part of broader efforts to provide greater predictability for tenants while establishing a clear legal framework for landlords. The bill is currently under consideration in the Senate as lawmakers continue to debate reforms aimed at strengthening the regulation of the country's rental housing market.