The Acting Rent Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, says newly formed task forces will focus on enforcing rent regulations, educating landlords, and strengthening compliance rather than using forceful enforcement methods.
He explained that the task forces will monitor rent-related issues across the country, including compliance with rules on rent advance payments and tenant documentation.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Opoku said the Rent Control Department is also working toward digitising its operations to improve efficiency.
“There are task forces to look into rent issues. We are talking about the fact that landlords should not issue rent cards within the first one week after giving out a property,” he said.
He added that all landlords will be required to register themselves and their properties as part of efforts to modernise the system.
“We want to digitise our system. We want to go soft instead of hard — we want to be paperless and cashless,” he stated.
According to him, internal reforms are underway to ensure stricter enforcement of rent laws.
“I am doing internal controls in Rent Control to ensure that the laws are enforced,” he said.
Mr. Opoku stressed that the task forces will remain focused on core rent issues and will not engage in unrelated debates such as currency matters.
“These task forces will go out and ask for compliance. They are not going to talk about dollarisation anywhere,” he said.
He further warned landlords against exceeding the legal rent advance limit, stating that offenders must be ready to justify their actions.
“If you have taken more than six months’ rent advance and there is proof, then you have to explain why you cannot be prosecuted,” he said.
Mr. Opoku said the task force will strictly focus on ensuring compliance with rent laws and not introduce unrelated issues.
He also reiterated his commitment to an educational and engagement-driven approach rather than aggressive enforcement.
“Since I took office, I said I will continue to educate, sensitise and engage to create awareness. That is responsive leadership,” he noted.
He added that ignorance of the law is not an excuse, but stressed the importance of public education.
“I will not use ‘Rambo style’ or forceful methods. We are all citizens, and if people understand the law, it will help more than using force,” he said.
Mr. Opoku said the goal is to ensure compliance through awareness, dialogue, and consistent enforcement of rent regulations.
ALSO READ:
