Accra: The Rent Control Department (RCD) has set a deadline of November 30, 2026, for landlords and property owners to regularise the registration of their tenancies and property records with the Department. This directive aims to ensure compliance with existing rent laws and improve transparency and accountability in the country's rental sector.
According to Ghana Web, the Acting Rent Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, emphasized that landlords are required to begin issuing prescribed rent cards to tenants starting August 17, 2026. The issuance of rent cards is not a new policy but a statutory obligation under existing laws, specifically Section 20(1) of the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220), which mandates landlords to provide rent cards within seven days of the tenancy's commencement. These cards must include the names and addresses of both the landlord and tenant, as well as the rent amount payable.
The Rent Control Law, 1986 (PNDCL 138), reinforces this obligation by requiring landlords of residential properties to issue rent cards and provide tenant and rent payment details to the Department. From August 17, landlords must provide evidence of compliance with the rent-card requirement when seeking services from the Department. Non-compliance may result in administrative service applications being declined or delayed.
Additionally, landlords are reminded of their duty under Section 4 of PNDCL 138 to register every lease or tenancy agreement with the Department within 14 days of the agreement's execution. Failure to do so by the November 30 deadline may lead to deferred or rejected service applications.
The directive also extends to student accommodation providers, who are not exempt from rent-control regulations. Starting with the 2026/2027 academic year, hostel operators must issue rent cards to student tenants and adhere to registration requirements. They are expected to maintain records of student tenants, rent payments, tenancy periods, and other legally required information.
To facilitate the implementation of these requirements, the Department plans to engage with tertiary institutions, student representative bodies, hostel associations, local authorities, and other regulators.