In November 2022, the Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye at a Press Briefing, he disclosed; “the new rent bill provides that a landlord who demands the payment of rent in advance for more than one month in a monthly tenancy or a tenancy which is shorter than one month, or more than one year in a year tenancy which exceeds one year, commits an offence, clearly identified in the bill.”
The current rent law forbids property owners from taking more than six months' advance from potential tenants but that has been breached woefully, with the taking of two years becoming the convention making life difficult for tenants.
For instance, on TV3 New Day spoke to Patricia, a lady who stays at Dansoman Junction in Accra lamented about the unfair treatment from her Landlady. She revealed that her Landlady increased her rent over short notice, demanding a two-year upfront payment for a rent which has not been renovated.
She disclosed; “She called me one day saying she has increased the rent from Ghc350 to Ghc450. She called the next day to say that her husband said she should take 400 per month.”
She added; “I pleaded with her to take a year’s rent because I had only a month to renew with her new price. But she refused and asked me to move out because others will pay more for the room. Adding that homeowners are charging 600-800 for a single room self-contain.”
I think, it’s about time Government has to address this rental issues facing Ghanaian tenants before it is too late.
