The Rent Control Department has begun discussions with the Judicial Service of Ghana to establish specialised rent courts as part of efforts to strengthen enforcement of the country’s rent laws and address growing concerns over arbitrary rent charges.
The move comes amid increasing complaints from tenants, particularly students, over rising accommodation costs and alleged non-compliance with rent regulations by some property owners.
Mr. Frederick Opoku, Acting Commissioner of the Rent Control Department, disclosed the development in an interview during recent inspections of student hostels across the country.
The inspections followed appeals by the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) for government intervention in what students describe as escalating hostel rental charges.
Mr. Opoku said the establishment of dedicated rent courts would help improve compliance with existing laws and ensure quicker resolution of rent-related disputes.
According to him, the Department is determined to ensure that both landlords and tenants adhere to provisions of the rent law.
He urged hostel operators and property owners to suspend any planned rent increments until official assessments of their facilities were completed.
“I will have to issue a statement that all hostel facilities not assessed should not make an attempt to increase their rents,” he stated.
Mr. Opoku explained that under Section 10 of the rent law, rental charges are required to undergo proper assessment before any adjustments can be made.
“Section 10 of the law makes it mandatory that rent should be assessed. So if you have been charging without assessment, then you have failed the law,” he added.
The Acting Commissioner also disclosed plans by the Department to register landlords and tenants nationwide to create a comprehensive database of rental properties, property owners and occupants.
He said the proposed registration system would improve data management within the housing sector and support collaboration with other state institutions.
“Rent is the foundation, the fabric that everything is built on. So we need to make it more robust for people to also enjoy,” he said.
Mr. Opoku further announced plans for a nationwide public education and sensitisation campaign to improve awareness of rent regulations and tenant rights.
He observed that many landlords and tenants failed to comply with the law largely because of limited knowledge of the regulations governing rental arrangements.
The Department believes stronger public education, improved data systems and dedicated rent courts could help reduce disputes and improve fairness within Ghana’s rental housing sector.
Housing analysts say the proposed reforms could also support broader efforts to improve transparency and accountability in the country’s accommodation market, particularly in urban areas where rent prices continue to rise.
