Senegal approves rent reduction bill

Senegal’s parliament has passed a bill that forces landlords to reduce the amount of rent they collect from tenants.

Depending on the type of property, rent will be reduced by 20 percent and those who fail to comply will face three months in jail and a $4,000 fine.

Over the past 20 years, rents have increased by 250 percent in Dakar, making it the most expensive city in Africa with housing prices comparable to those in the French Riviera.

The new legislation is the first property bill to regulate rent in an African country.

Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque reports from Dakar.