Landlords petition government over Rent Control’s rent-card compliance directive

The Voice of Landlords Association (VOLAG) in Ghana has called on the government for clarity regarding a Rent Control directive that mandates landlords to provide proof of rent-card compliance before accessing certain services. This directive, issued by Acting Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku on August 10, 2026, requires landlords to register tenancy and property records by November 30, 2026.

Additionally, hostel operators are expected to comply with rent-card, tenancy registration, and record-keeping requirements from the 2026/2027 academic year.

In a petition submitted to the Ministries of Works, Housing and Water Resources, Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and the Attorney-General, VOLAG is seeking a legal basis for the directive. The association wants to know which specific law, regulation, or legal instrument gives the Rent Control Department the authority to deny services to landlords who do not meet the compliance requirements.

They also seek clarification on the method for determining non-compliance, the services that could be denied due to non-compliance, and the appeal process available to landlords who believe they have been unfairly treated.

VOLAG has also demanded an audit of the Rent Control Department's revenue collection practices, noting complaints about the non-issuance of official receipts and the presence of irregular or unapproved charges. They have called for the publication of the approved Rent Control fee schedule, including the legal basis and approved amounts for all charges.

Furthermore, the association has requested a nationwide audit of Rent and Housing Committees established under PNDCL 138, expressing concerns about their proper constitution and operational status across Ghana.

The landlord association emphasizes that landlords, who are also citizens, investors, taxpayers, and housing providers, should not be penalized for compliance issues that hinge on committees that may not be legally constituted or operational. VOLAG asserts that landlords and tenants need peace, fairness, and lawful regulation, rather than confrontations.

They call on public institutions to provide fair education to both landlords and tenants and ensure that enforcement actions are grounded in law, approved fees, official receipts, and due process.