Lashibi:Acting Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku has confronted a landlady in Lashibi Community 16, Greater Accra Region, over the forceful eviction of a female tenant and her child following a rent disagreement.
According to Ghana Web, the confrontation occurred during Opoku's visit to the property to investigate allegations that the landlady had illegally entered the tenant's room and removed her belongings without a court order. The tenant reported being left stranded with her child after their possessions were thrown out of the apartment.
The tenant had initially planned to share the rent with another occupant but struggled to find someone willing to do so. Despite explaining her predicament and requesting more time from the landlady, her appeal was denied, leading to the eviction.
During the confrontation, Commissioner Opoku questioned the landlady's justification for the eviction, which she claimed was due to a rodent infestation. Opoku countered that this did not legally authorize her actions. He noted that the tenant had been in the room for about a month and had paid rent, with her security deposit still held by the landlady.
Opoku emphasized that landlords must adhere to the laws of Ghana and seek legal redress in tenant disputes. The landlady claimed to have given more than 20 days' notice, but Opoku insisted that only a court could authorize an eviction.
The commissioner directed the immediate return of the tenant and her belongings to the apartment, pending a court decision. He also instructed the police to ensure the belongings were returned and inventoried as part of the investigation.