The Eastern Regional Secretary of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Jeff Konadu, has called for urgent policy intervention to curb skyrocketing rent advances in Ghana.
According to him, current rent advances being demanded by Landlords particularly in urban areas in the country are outrageously high particularly for the youth.
He described the situation as a “very serious social protection and security issue because the youth are suffering” therefore it must be addressed.
Per the current laws governing the renting space, Rent ACT 1963, tenants are supposed to pay between one to six months’ advance rent, however, property owners demand two years or more.
In the capital Accra what is often referred to as a Chamber and Hall Self-Contained accommodation goes for Ghc800 per month for two years advance while in Koforidua, same room is rented at most Ghc250 per month. The situation has been blamed on the widening housing deficit which has hit two million.
However, speaking at Takrowatwene in Afram Plains South District to hand over five boreholes drilled by Bryan Acheampong Foundation (BAF) to the beneficiary communities, Mr. Konadu called on the Minister of Gender and Social Protection to liaise with the appropriate agencies to deal with the rent challenges.
“We politicians are seeing these in our faces all over the place. Many people come to us begging for support to rent room. It is important we all come together as a nation to deal with these rent challenges even if by legislation to make it easy for our youth to be able to rent,” he pointed out.
He added: “I want us to look at it as a nation to start a debate on this important issue so as to help our youth to be able to be on their own, live on their own and at least be paying their rents by monthly.”
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kojo Ansah
