Acting Rent Commissioner says landlords cannot impose arbitrary rent charges without property assessment

The Acting Rent Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, has cautioned landlords and property owners against arbitrarily fixing rent prices without proper assessment, stressing that Ghana’s rent laws require all rental properties to undergo official evaluation processes.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Super Morning Show, Mr Opoku criticised what he described as increasing “lawlessness” within Ghana’s rental market, where some landlords allegedly impose rent charges without regulatory oversight or adherence to legal procedures.

“That’s where I’m talking about the lawlessness. The law says you assess. We will assess you,” he stated during the interview.

According to the Acting Rent Commissioner, investing in real estate does not give property owners unrestricted authority to determine rent prices outside the framework of the law.

He acknowledged that landlords and property investors are entitled to make profits from their investments, but stressed that rental charges must still be subjected to fair and transparent assessment mechanisms to protect both landlords and tenants.

“You cannot sit down, do your own calculations and peg anything because you’re an investor,” Mr Opoku stressed.

His comments come at a time when many tenants across major cities such as Accra and Kumasi continue to express frustration over rising rent costs, arbitrary pricing, and excessive advance payment demands by some landlords.

Over the years, concerns about housing affordability and rent regulation have intensified in Ghana, particularly in urban areas where increasing demand for accommodation has pushed rental prices beyond the reach of many low- and middle-income earners.

Mr Opoku revealed that the Rent Control Department is preparing to review existing rent assessment mechanisms as part of broader reforms aimed at strengthening enforcement of the Rent Act and improving compliance within the housing sector.

According to him, landlords and property owners will also be allowed to engage independent experts during the rent assessment process to ensure transparency, fairness, and objectivity in determining rental values.

The Acting Rent Commissioner further disclosed that government is considering amendments to portions of the Rent Act before the end of the year to address existing gaps in enforcement and improve regulation within Ghana’s rental market.

The proposed reforms are expected to enhance the powers of regulators, improve tenant protection, and ensure better compliance with rent regulations across the country.

Housing experts have long argued that weak enforcement of rent laws, combined with rising urbanisation and limited affordable housing, has contributed significantly to the growing tensions between landlords and tenants in Ghana.

Many tenants have also repeatedly called for stricter enforcement against landlords who demand several years’ rent advance despite legal restrictions on advance payment periods.

Analysts believe the government’s renewed focus on rent regulation could help restore fairness and accountability within the housing sector if effectively implemented.

The comments by Mr Opoku are likely to reignite national conversations around housing affordability, tenant rights, and the urgent need for stronger regulation in Ghana’s real estate industry.