Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Gilbert Kenneth Adjei, says the government is taking steps to reform Ghana’s rent regulatory framework to better reflect the realities of the country’s evolving housing market.
He told Parliament on June 26 that the current laws governing rent are outdated and no longer provide adequate protection for tenants or clear guidance for landlords.
As a result, government has initiated a comprehensive review of the existing legal framework to repeal the Rent Act of 1963 and the Rent Control Law of 1986.
These laws will be replaced with a modern, consolidated Rent Act.
“The Ministry recognises that the current rent regulatory framework is outdated, having been in existence for 63 years, and does not adequately respond to the realities of Ghana’s evolving housing market. I wish to inform this Honourable House that the Ministry has initiated a comprehensive review of the existing rent laws,” he told the House.
Mr Adjei said, “Mr Speaker, the review seeks to repeal the Rent Act 1963 as amended, together with the Rent Control Law 1986, and replace them with a modern Consolidated Rent Act.
The new legal framework is designed to address the persistent constraints within the current regime, harmonise all related laws governing rental housing, and introduce appropriate incentives to stimulate private sector investment in the rental housing market.”
He explained that the proposed legislation will uphold and strengthen protections for low income and vulnerable tenants.
“It is structured to guard against abuse, arbitrary rent increases, and unfair rental practices, while at the same time ensuring a balanced framework that recognises the legitimate interests of property owners.
Mr Speaker, the drafting of the new legislative framework is currently at an advanced stage, to be submitted soon to Cabinet for approval, and subsequently to Parliament for consideration,” Mr Adjei stated.
