Sunyani: It's unlawful for landlords to increase rent charges without approval-Rent Control. Mr Frederick Opoku, the Acting Commissioner of the Rent Control, stated that it is an offence for landlords and private hostel operators to increase rent charges without the approval of the Rent Control Department. Instead, he said they ought to apply for the rent control to assess their facilities before they could increase rent charges.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Opoku expressed concern at a news conference in Sunyani about the growing public worry regarding the collection of unfair and illegal rent charges by landlords and private hostel operators in the country. He emphasized that the collection of exorbitant rent charges breached the Rent Act 220 (Act 1986), explaining that the Act mandated the Rent Control Department to enforce compliance.
Mr Opoku stated that the Act protects both landlords and tenants, as well as hostel operators and students. He stressed that no individual can increase rent charges without the assessment and approval of the Rent Control Department. Additionally, he warned unregistered hostel operators to register their facilities or prepare for prosecution.
He explained that Section 20 of the Rent Control Act requires all private hostel operators to furnish the Department with accurate information about their premises and facilities. The documents must also include their registered tenancy agreement and capital investments. Mr Opoku reminded landlords and private hostel operators about their responsibility to issue rent cards and proper tenancy agreements to their clients.
He called on universities to establish rent control desks on their campuses to collaborate with the Department and ensure compliance with the Act. Mr Opoku advised tenants and students to demand and keep their receipts when they pay rent charges.