Kabul Faces Housing Shortage and Sharp Rent Increases

Kabul residents report a severe shortage of rental housing and significant rent hikes since the start of the new year.

Tenants interviewed say landlords have raised prices without regard for laws or principles. They accuse homeowners of colluding with the Taliban to generate more tax revenue by underreporting actual rents at official rental transaction offices while charging higher amounts through separate illegal contracts.

Specific increases include two-room houses rising from 7,000-8,000 afghanis to 13,000-15,000 afghanis. Rents for three-room houses, which were 10,000-12,000 afghanis two years ago, have jumped to 20,000-21,000 afghanis.

Tenants note there is no oversight body to control these price increases in Kabul. Although the Taliban's Ministry of Justice has announced measures to monitor rental transaction offices, residents say these have had no effect on curbing the rises.

The situation has left many tenants impoverished, with some unable to afford housing amid the scarcity.