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🇬🇭 Ghana /Economy & Trade

Rent Control sets Nov. 30 deadline for landlords

From Ghanaian Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Ghana's Rent Control Department has set a November 30, 2026 deadline for landlords to register tenancies and property records.
  • Landlords must begin issuing prescribed rent cards to tenants starting August 17, 2026, as per existing laws.
  • Non-compliance could lead to delays or rejections of administrative services for landlords, including student accommodation providers.

Ghana's Rent Control Department (RCD) has issued a directive requiring all landlords and property owners to regularize the registration of their tenancies and property records by November 30, 2026. This move aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and tenant protection within the nation's rental sector.

Furthermore, the RCD mandates that landlords commence issuing prescribed rent cards to tenants from August 17, 2026. The department stressed that this is not a new policy but a statutory obligation already enshrined in existing rent laws. Specifically, Section 20(1) of the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220), requires landlords of premises rented on a monthly or shorter basis to provide tenants with rent cards within seven days of the tenancy's commencement.

The rent card must detail the names and addresses of both the landlord and tenant, along with the agreed-upon rent amount. The Rent Control Law, 1986 (PNDCL 138), also obligates landlords of covered residential accommodations to issue rent cards and report tenant and rent payment details to the RCD.

The measures were aimed at improving transparency, accountability and tenant protection within the country’s rental sector.

— Mr Frederick OpokuActing Rent Commissioner Mr Frederick Opoku explaining the purpose of the new directives.

Starting August 17, landlords seeking services from the RCD will need to demonstrate compliance with the rent card requirement. Failure to provide satisfactory evidence may result in their applications for administrative services being declined or delayed until the obligation is met. This applies to all residential landlords, including student accommodation providers, who are reminded of their legal duty to register lease agreements within 14 days of their execution.

The RCD plans to collaborate with tertiary institutions, student representative bodies, hostel associations, and local authorities to ensure the effective implementation of these regulations, particularly for student housing.

The requirement for landlords to issue rent cards was not a new policy, but a statutory obligation under existing laws.

— Mr Frederick OpokuActing Rent Commissioner Mr Frederick Opoku clarifying the legal basis for issuing rent cards.
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Originally published by Ghanaian Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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