Acting Rent Control Commissioner directs landlords, hostel operators to issue rent cards

Acting Rent Control Commissioner Frederick Opoku has instructed landlords and private hostel operators across the nation to provide rent cards to their tenants or face legal consequences. According to Mr. Opoku, it is mandatory for them to issue the rent cards and enter into proper tenancy agreements with their clients, with those who fail to do so potentially facing six-month imprisonment.

He explained that breaching Section 20 of Act 220 and PNDC Law 138 (Act 1986) by not issuing a rent card or tenancy agreement document to tenants constitutes a violation of the law. Speaking at a press conference in Sunyani, the Acting Commissioner warned that landlords and private hostel operators who disregard the law would be subject to a minimum fine of 200 penalty units or a six-month jail term, or both.

He urged tenants, especially students in private hostels, to insist on proper documentation and keep those records as evidence, as they are necessary for the rent control department to monitor and regulate unlawful and unfair charges. Mr. Opoku emphasized the rent control department's responsibility to oversee and ensure that private hostel operators in the country comply with the law.

Section 2 of the Rent Act grants the Commissioner the authority to enforce the law, and he advised landlords and hostel operators to adhere to the regulations to avoid trouble. He also called on the government to establish affordable housing for university students and to prevent private hostel operators from charging exorbitant fees to students.