About 80% of hostel operators are illegal – Rent Commissioner

According to Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku, approximately 80% of hostel operators in Ghana are operating illegally and without the necessary permits or regulatory oversight. The commissioner stated that many hostel operators capitalize on their closeness to universities to construct accommodation facilities and subsequently rent them to students at inflated rates.

During a recent interview on Adom FM's Dwaso Nsem, Opoku disclosed that some of these operators pay minimal fees to university management, making it challenging for educational institutions to enforce penalties against them.

Opoku emphasized that about 80% of hostel operators lack proper licensing and regulation. He also alleged that some of these operators fail to pay the required taxes and warned that they might face legal consequences if authorities conduct a comprehensive assessment of their tax and rent obligations. "If we ask for rent tax today, a lot of them will go to jail," he asserted, suggesting that he has evidence supporting his claims.

The Rent Commissioner has already taken action against illegal hostel operators, including the closure of five hostels in Koforidua and the identification of around 25 illegal hostels in Sunyani. Opoku highlighted that some operators attempt to conceal their illegal activities by associating with universities. "They hide under the university and build hostels to rent to students at exorbitant prices. They give peanuts to the school management, so they cannot talk," he alleged.

The commissioner expressed his commitment to safeguarding the integrity of his office and ensuring that hostel operators adhere to the law. He vowed to continue pursuing operators who do not comply with licensing, taxation, and other regulatory requirements, emphasizing that he would not allow anyone to undermine his office's authority.