The Rent Control Department has urged private hostel operators around the University of Cape Coast to consult the Department before increasing accommodation fees, saying students must be protected from unfair and unlawful rent charges.
The Acting Rent Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, made the call during a courtesy visit to the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast, Professor Denis Worlanyo Aheto, to discuss closer collaboration on rent regulation and the welfare of students living in private accommodation.
Mr Opoku said the Department was stepping up public education and enforcement of Ghana’s rent laws to improve compliance and protect both tenants and property owners.
He reminded landlords that under the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220), they are generally not permitted to demand more than six months’ rent in advance for residential properties or more than one year’s advance for commercial premises. The law also protects tenants against unlawful eviction while requiring both landlords and tenants to honour the terms of their tenancy agreements.
Mr Opoku said the Department was promoting the use of standard tenancy agreements to clearly define the rights and responsibilities of both parties, reduce disputes and improve transparency. He added that the planned introduction of Rent Cards would strengthen record keeping and improve compliance monitoring.
Expressing concern over the frequent increases in hostel accommodation fees around the university, he said operators should engage the Rent Control Department before adjusting rents to ensure any increases comply with the law.
“Our goal is not to frustrate hostel operators or landlords but to ensure that rent adjustments are fair, lawful and transparent. Students deserve protection from arbitrary charges, just as property owners deserve a regulatory environment that is clear and predictable.”
Mr Opoku also announced that the Department was developing a mobile application to enable students and the public to access rent information, report grievances and submit complaints electronically.
He further proposed the establishment of a Rent Control Desk at the University of Cape Coast to provide advisory services for students and help resolve landlord and tenant disputes quickly.
He praised the university for its commitment to student welfare and said the partnership could serve as a model for other tertiary institutions.
Professor Aheto welcomed the proposal and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to protecting students.
He said the university, which is surrounded by about 10 communities, continued to face accommodation related challenges, including theft and other social problems affecting some students living off campus. He added that the university was working to expand student accommodation through Public Private Partnership arrangements.
Professor Aheto said stronger regulation of private hostels would help improve standards and protect students from unfair rental practices.
He said formalising the partnership through a memorandum of understanding would strengthen efforts to promote accountability, transparency and student welfare.
The Provost of the College of Distance Education also called on the Rent Control Department to intensify public education and engagement with stakeholders to ensure rent regulation does not discourage private investment in student accommodation.
He said protecting students should go hand in hand with creating a favourable environment for responsible investors, adding that effective regulation should balance the interests of tenants with the need for accommodation providers to earn sustainable returns.
Before the meeting, Mr Opoku and officials from the Rent Control Department, accompanied by leaders of the University of Cape Coast Students’ Representative Council, the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana, the Students’ Parliament and other student executives, toured private hostels in communities surrounding the university.
During the visit, they engaged hostel operators on the need to comply with Ghana’s rent laws, educated landlords on the rights and responsibilities of tenants and encouraged the use of standard tenancy agreements to promote fair and transparent rental practices.
