Tenants may bear the cost of rent assessment under existing law — Acting Rent Commissioner

The Acting Rent Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, has defended the legal framework governing rental property assessments in Ghana, insisting that the country’s Rent Act clearly outlines the procedures for determining rent and assigning responsibility for associated costs.

Speaking during an interview on JoyNews’ Super Morning Show, Mr Opoku responded to public concerns over whether landlords or tenants are required to pay for rent assessments conducted under the law.

He maintained that the existing legislation is explicit on the issue, stating that parties seeking rental assessments are required to bear the cost as stipulated by law.

“The law tells you you pay,” he said, referencing provisions within the Rent Act that govern rent assessment processes.

Mr Opoku further explained that rent officers are not permitted to repeatedly reassess properties without valid justification. According to him, the law only allows for re-evaluation in specific circumstances such as a significant change in conditions, evidence of fraud, newly discovered information, or proven injustice in earlier assessments.

He also pointed to legal provisions that empower the Minister responsible for housing to determine recoverable rents for certain categories of properties, particularly those developed or supported using public funds.

The remarks come amid renewed national debate on rent regulation in Ghana, with increasing concerns over affordability, high advance rent payments, and inconsistent pricing practices in urban housing markets.

In major cities such as Accra and Kumasi, tenants continue to express frustration over rising rental costs and limited enforcement of rent control regulations, making housing one of the most pressing social issues in the country.

Mr Opoku acknowledged these challenges and indicated that government is actively reviewing parts of the Rent Act to strengthen enforcement and address emerging gaps in the regulatory system.

“We are mending the law anyway,” he disclosed, adding that some of the proposed amendments could be finalised before the end of the year.

Housing experts have long argued that weak enforcement mechanisms, coupled with high demand for accommodation in urban areas, have contributed to persistent tensions between landlords and tenants in Ghana’s rental market.

The Rent Control Department is expected to play a key role in any upcoming reforms, particularly in improving compliance, streamlining assessment procedures, and ensuring fairness in rent determination.

If implemented effectively, the proposed amendments are expected to improve transparency in rent setting, reduce disputes between landlords and tenants, and strengthen overall regulation of Ghana’s housing sector.