Omanghana
The Rent Control Department has warned landlords and private hostel operators across Ghana against increasing rent charges without an official assessment and approval from the department.
Acting Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku issued the warning during a news conference in Sunyani following growing public complaints about arbitrary rent increases and additional fees imposed on tenants and tertiary students.
According to the department, property owners and hostel managers seeking to revise their rates must first submit an application for their facilities to be assessed. The assessment is intended to determine whether a proposed increase is justified before the new amount is charged.
Mr Opoku maintained that landlords and hostel operators cannot unilaterally impose new rental rates without following the required procedure.
He said arbitrary rent adjustments could constitute a violation of the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220), which provides a framework for regulating tenancy matters and protecting the interests of both property owners and tenants.
The department also expressed concern about the increasing number of private student hostels operating without the required registration and documentation.
Operators of such facilities have been directed to regularise their activities or risk prosecution. They are expected to provide accurate information about their properties, including facility records, capital investments and tenancy arrangements.
Mr Opoku referenced Section 20 of Act 220 in outlining the responsibilities of property owners and accommodation providers. Hostel managers were reminded that operating outside the regulatory framework could expose them to legal action.
Landlords and hostel operators must also provide tenants with valid rent cards, written tenancy agreements and official receipts for payments.
These documents are essential because they establish the terms of the tenancy and provide evidence when disagreements arise over rent, duration of occupancy, deposits or other charges.
The department advised tenants not to make rental payments without collecting receipts. Students and other renters should also carefully review tenancy agreements before signing or transferring money.
The warning is particularly significant for communities surrounding universities and other tertiary institutions, where high demand for accommodation frequently places students under pressure to accept unfavourable terms.
Some hostel operators have been accused of raising charges without sufficient notice, introducing unexplained fees or threatening students with eviction when they challenge new rates.
To address these concerns, the Rent Control Department has proposed the establishment of Campus Rent Desks at tertiary institutions.
The initiative would involve collaboration between university authorities and the department to monitor hostel practices, educate students about their rights and resolve accommodation disputes more quickly.
Campus-based desks could also help students verify whether hostels are properly registered before making payments. This would reduce the risk of fraud and make it easier to identify operators who fail to meet basic regulatory requirements.
Tenants who receive unlawful rent demands or threats of illegal eviction have been encouraged to report the matter to the nearest Rent Control office.
The department said its intervention would help ensure that disputes are handled through the appropriate legal and regulatory processes instead of intimidation or forced removal.
Property owners were equally encouraged to use written agreements and follow the prescribed procedures when reviewing rent or recovering possession of their premises.
The Rent Control Department stressed that its mandate is not limited to protecting tenants. Proper registration, documentation and official assessments also safeguard responsible landlords by providing clear evidence of agreed tenancy conditions.
The latest directive forms part of efforts to bring greater transparency to Ghana’s rental market and curb the exploitation of tenants, particularly students seeking accommodation near tertiary institutions.
Source: Omanghana
