This is worrisome but unfortunately the government you're relying on to solve the problem won't do anything. Government is supposed to have a functional price regulatory body(agency) that control the price and goods. This agency go around the towns and markets to investigate and control the prices of goods (especially the commodities that have fixed price), but unfortunately we're not seeing doing the job. Now is it house rent the same government can control?

Meanwhile some of us are also part of the problem. A greedy landlord in collaboration with a greedy and selfish house agent will put outrageous amount as rent. While you're still complaining of the outrageous amount, you will see another person rushing to pay!

I have to be specific. Here in PH if you don't earn good money, to rent the least comfortable self contained would be very difficult. I believe house agents are even a major problem.