The Rent Control Department has announced stricter enforcement of Ghana’s rent laws, requiring landlords and property owners to demonstrate compliance with mandatory rent-card requirements when accessing services from the Department from August 17, 2026.
The Department has also given landlords until November 30, 2026, to regularise the registration of their tenancies and property records.
In a statement issued on Monday, August 10, Acting Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku said the measures are aimed at improving transparency, accountability and tenant protection within the country’s rental sector.
The Department stressed that the requirement for landlords to issue rent cards is not a new policy but a statutory obligation under existing rent laws.
Under Section 20(1) of the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220), landlords of premises rented on a monthly or shorter basis are required to issue tenants with a rent card within seven days after the commencement of the tenancy.
The rent card must contain the names and addresses of both the landlord and tenant, as well as the amount of rent payable.
The Rent Control Law, 1986 (PNDCL 138), also requires landlords of residential accommodation covered by the law to issue rent cards and provide the relevant Rent Control Department office with details of tenants and rents paid.
From August 17, landlords seeking services from the Department will, where applicable, be required to provide evidence that they have complied with the rent-card requirement.
The Department warned that landlords who fail to provide satisfactory evidence of issuing and maintaining the required rent cards could have their applications for administrative services declined or delayed until the obligation is regularised.
Landlords have also been reminded to register their tenancy and lease agreements with the Rent Control Department.
Under Section 4 of PNDCL 138, residential landlords are required to register every lease or tenancy agreement with the Department within 14 days of entering into the agreement.
The law further prohibits landlords from demanding or receiving rent for accommodation without complying with the registration requirement.
The Department has therefore directed landlords and property owners to regularise their tenancy and property records by November 30, 2026.
It warned that failure to comply could result in applications for administrative services being deferred or rejected until the necessary documentation is submitted and verified.
The Rent Control Department has clarified that student accommodation providers are not automatically exempt from rent-control regulations simply because they operate hostels.
Beginning with the 2026/2027 academic year, hostel operators whose accommodation arrangements fall within the applicable rent laws will be required to issue prescribed rent cards to student tenants and comply with relevant registration requirements.
They will also be expected to maintain records of student tenants, occupied accommodation, rent payable, tenancy periods and other information required under the law.
The Department said it will engage tertiary institutions, student representative bodies, hostel associations, local authorities and other regulators to facilitate implementation of the requirements.
It warned that failure to comply with rent-card and registration requirements is a legal matter and not merely an administrative issue.
Under PNDCL 138, violations of the relevant provisions constitute offences. The law also provides that a landlord’s complaint or action against a tenant will not be heard by the Rent Control Department unless it is satisfied that the landlord has fulfilled the required statutory obligations.
The Department said it would progressively intensify monitoring, inspections, registration and compliance activities nationwide.
However, it said the initial approach would focus on educating landlords and hostel operators and giving them a reasonable opportunity to regularise their affairs, while taking action against persistent or deliberate violations.
“The Department will adopt an education-first but enforcement-backed approach, giving landlords and hostel operators reasonable opportunity to regularise their affairs while taking appropriate action against persistent or deliberate violations of the law,” it said.
According to the Department, proper documentation of rental arrangements will improve accountability, facilitate dispute resolution and strengthen tenant protection while promoting responsible property management.
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