The Rent Control Department is set to introduce standardized tenancy agreement by November 2026 to protect tenants from illegal charges and restrictive housing rules.
According to the Acting Rent Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, this forms part of a broader reform agenda to sanitize the country’s rental space.
The Acting Commissioner mentioned on Morning Starr on Starr FM, on Tuesday, 5th May, 2026 that the initiative also aims at replacing “outrageous” and arbitrary agreements currently drafted by landlords that often violate the constitutional rights of tenants.
He noted that many landlords take advantage of the housing deficit to force tenants into lopsided agreements after they have already paid their rent.
Commissioner Opoku further highlighted that the commission will address several common abuses in the current market, specifically targeting landlords who impose illegal curfews.
“You see a portion of an agreement talking about ‘if you come home around 10:00 PM, we will not allow you in.’ Where on earth do you hear this…the law and the constitution of the Republic of Ghana does not allow anybody to curtail anybody’s movement,” he said.
The Commissioner outlined the following steps toward implementing the new standards the department is not “putting things on people’s neck” but is seeking input from landlords, tenants, and real estate professionals to ensure the agreement is fair to all parties.
The Commissioner also reiterated that under Section 25(5) of the Rent Act, it is illegal for any landlord to demand more than six months of rent advance.
Despite this, he acknowledged that the current shortage of available property has created a culture of fear where tenants “cough up” two, three, or even five years of advance payments just to secure a home.
The first Rent Commissioner admitted that he inherited an institution that was “ill-resourced” and “incapacitated.”
“We need to tackle [these issues] one step at a time,” Opoku stated, emphasizing that rent assessment by the department must become a standard prerequisite before landlords can increase charges.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
