Rent Control makes rent cards mandatory for landlords, hostel operators from August 17

The Rent Control Department in Ghana has unveiled stricter enforcement measures, mandating landlords and property owners to display rent cards to access their services starting August 17, 2026. The Department also expects landlords to formalize tenancy registrations and property records by November 30, 2026. Hostel operators will need to adhere to rent-control rules beginning the 2026/2027 academic year.

Acting Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku stated that these measures aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and tenant protection within Ghana's rental sector. The Department emphasized that issuing a rent card is a statutory obligation per Ghana's existing rent laws, specifically Section 20(1) of the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220).

Landlords are required to provide tenants with a rent card within seven days of the tenancy commencing and include the names and addresses of the landlord and tenant, as well as the rent amount. The Rent Control Law, 1986 (PNDCL 138), also obligates landlords of residential accommodations to issue rent cards and provide details of tenants and rents paid to relevant Rent Control Department offices.

From August 17, landlords seeking Department services must demonstrate compliance with the rent-card requirement; failure to do so may result in service refusal until the obligation is rectified. The Department stressed that hostel operators are not automatically exempt from the rent-control framework, particularly if their accommodation arrangements fall under applicable rent laws.

They must issue prescribed rent cards to student tenants and maintain records of student tenants, accommodation occupancy, rent payable, tenancy periods, and other required information starting the 2026/2027 academic year. The Department pledged to engage various stakeholders, including tertiary institutions and hostel associations, to support implementation.

Failing to comply with rent-card and registration requirements is deemed a legal matter, not merely an administrative issue, as per PNDCL 138. Infringements constitute an offense, and the Department will intensify monitoring, inspections, registration, and compliance activities, focusing first on education and providing reasonable opportunities for landlords and hostel operators to regularize their affairs.