Accommodation, which is a basic necessity has in recent times been a great challenge to Ghanaians mostly in the cities because of the exorbitant rents charged by landlords. Landlords insist on taking a two year advance payment instead of the six months required by the Rent Control Act. The practice makes it difficult for people to get accommodation.
In recent times, owners of houses insist on taking two years advance before leasing out their property contrary to what is required under the Rent Control Act 220, which debars landlords from charging beyond six-months up front.
According to the law, it is illegal for landlords to fix rents for a room without consulting the Rent Control Department for assessment and approval. Unfortunately, both landlords and tenants have turned a blind eye to this law because of the housing deficit of about two million units as revealed by the Minister of Works and Housing, Samuel Atta Akyea in April this year.
A section of Ghanaians deployed the outrageous rents charged for accommodation these days in the cities especially Accra.
A Senior official at the Accra Regional Rent Control Department, Abdallah Mohammed said beyond educating the public, the office is not able to conduct regular checks to ensure landlords comply with the law due to insufficient rent officers.
As to when the Rent Control law will be enforced, only time will tell.