The Acting, Rent Commissioner, Mr. Frederick Opoku, has paid a courtesy call on the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Prof. Denis Worlanyo Aheto, to discuss collaboration on rent regulation and the protection of students living in private accommodation around the University.
At the meeting, Mr. Opoku outlined plans by the Rent Control Department to strengthen compliance with Ghana's rent and tenancy laws through public education and enforcement.
He explained that under Ghana's Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220), landlords were generally prohibited from demanding rent advances exceeding six months for residential premises and one year for commercial premises. He noted that the legislation also protects tenants from unlawful eviction while requiring both landlords and tenants to adhere to the terms of their tenancy agreements.
The Acting Rent Commissioner said the Department was promoting the use of standardised tenancy agreements to clearly define the rights and obligations of both landlords and tenants, thereby minimising disputes and improving transparency in rental transactions. He added that the introduction of Rent Cards would strengthen record-keeping and enhance compliance monitoring across the country.
Expressing concern over the regular increase in hostel accommodation fees, Mr. Opoku said hostel operators should consult the Rent Control Department before implementing rent adjustments to ensure that any increase in hostel fees is justified and consistent 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," he stated.
Mr. Opoku further disclosed that the Department was developing a mobile application to digitise its operations, enabling students and the general public to access rent-related information, report grievances and lodge complaints electronically.
He also proposed the establishment of a dedicated Rent Control Desk at UCC to provide advisory services to students and facilitate the prompt resolution of landlord-tenant disputes.
"The University of Cape Coast has demonstrated remarkable commitment to the welfare of its students, and we are grateful for its readiness to work with us. We believe this partnership can become a benchmark for other tertiary institutions across the country," he said.
Responding, the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Denis Worlanyo Aheto, welcomed the proposed collaboration and reaffirmed the University's commitment to safeguarding the welfare of students.
He observed that as a public university surrounded by about 10 communities, UCC continued to face accommodation-related challenges, including theft and other social vices affecting some students residing off campus. He noted that the university was making efforts to expand student accommodation through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements.
Prof. Aheto said regulating private hostels around the University would contribute significantly to improving standards and protecting students from unfair rental practices.
"This collaboration presents an opportunity to create a more secure and transparent accommodation environment for our students. Formalising the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding will strengthen our collective efforts to promote accountability and student welfare," he remarked.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Provost of the College of Distance Education (CoDE) urged the Department to intensify public education and stakeholder engagement to ensure that rent regulation does not discourage private investment in student accommodation.
"As we protect students, we must also create an enabling environment for responsible investors. Effective regulation should strike a balance that safeguards tenants' interests while allowing accommodation providers to earn fair and sustainable returns on their investments," he emphasised.
Earlier, Mr. Frederick Opoku and his staff from the Rent Control Department, accompanied by the President of the UCC Students' Representative Council (SRC), Mr. Kwame Ntiamoah Ntim, the President of the Graduate Students' Association of Ghana (GRASAG-UCC), Mr. Gideon Quansah, executives of both the SRC and GRASAG, as well as the Speaker and members of the UCC Students' Parliament, toured some private hostels in communities surrounding the University.
The team engaged hostel operators on the need to comply with Ghana's rent and tenancy laws, sensitising them to the importance of operating within the country's regulatory framework. The exercise also provided an opportunity to educate landlords on tenants' rights and responsibilities, promote the use of standard tenancy agreements, and encourage greater collaboration with the Rent Control Department to ensure fair and transparent rental practices for students.
