Rent Control Department tightens enforcement of rent laws from August 17

The Rent Control Department in Ghana has announced stricter enforcement of rent laws effective August 17, 2026. Landlords must now provide evidence that they have complied with mandatory rent-card requirements when accessing Department services. They have until November 30, 2026, to regularize the registration of their tenancies and property records.

Acting Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku stated these measures aim to improve transparency, accountability, and tenant protection. The Department emphasized that the rent-card obligation under Section 20(1) of the Rent Act 1963 is not new but a statutory requirement. According to Section 4 of the Rent Control Law 1986, landlords must register lease or tenancy agreements within 14 days of signing.

The Department warned landlords who fail to provide satisfactory evidence of issuing and maintaining rent cards could face delayed or declined administrative service applications. Student accommodation providers will also be required to issue rent cards to students starting 2026/2027 academic year and comply with registration rules.

Failure to meet rent-card and registration requirements is considered a legal matter, not just administrative. The Department will intensify nationwide monitoring, inspections, and compliance activities, beginning with education and outreach before enforcing penalties for persistent violations.