The Acting Rent Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, has announced that a nationwide Rent Card system will be introduced from March 1.
He explained that the card will be compulsory for both landlords and tenants and is backed by Section 20 of the Rent Act, as amended under PNDC Law 136 Section 5. Under the law, landlords are required to issue tenants a formal rent card capturing key details such as the names of both parties, emergency contact information, the agreed rent amount and any future adjustments.
Speaking on Onua FM on February 23, Mr. Opoku warned that any landlord who increases rent without the involvement or approval of the Rent Control Department would be committing a criminal offence. He also cautioned against the unlawful demand for excessive rent advances from tenants.
According to him, landlords must provide valid justification for any rent increase, particularly where significant improvements have been made to the property. However, he stressed that raising rent is unjustifiable when critical structural defects, such as leaking roofs or inadequate amenities, remain unresolved.
The Rent Card initiative forms part of ongoing efforts by the Rent Control Department to regulate the rental housing sector, enhance transparency and protect the rights of both tenants and landlords under existing housing laws.
Source: 3news
