Rent Control to deploy task force to enforce 6-month rent advance limit in 2027 – Rent Commissioner

The Rent Control Commission in Ghana is set to deploy a specialized task force, dubbed Yellow Yellow, in early 2027 to enforce rent laws, including limits on advance rent payments. Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku revealed this during an interview on JoyNews Prime, stating that the commission will transition from public education to strict enforcement after spending the past ten months educating landlords and tenants about their legal obligations.

Opoku highlighted that many individuals remain unaware of the law's restrictions on advance rent, despite its existence for six decades. He explained that his initial strategy involved educating the public before taking enforcement action, which he has been doing for the past ten months. The upcoming task force of 2,000 personnel will represent a more aggressive phase in the commission's efforts to ensure compliance with rental regulations.

This deployment is anticipated to enhance the commission's capacity to monitor rental practices and address violations nationwide. The plan follows persistent concerns about landlords demanding rents exceeding the legal limit of six months' advance for tenancies over six months. Under Section 25(5) of the Rent Act 1963 (Act 220), as amended, landlords are prohibited from requesting more than six months' rent in advance for tenancies exceeding six months, with penalties applicable upon conviction.