John Dramani Mahama has urged tenants to report landlords who demand rent advances beyond the legal limit, emphasizing the need for stricter enforcement to address exploitation within Ghana’s housing sector.
Speaking during a meeting with Organised Labour at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, March 17, President John Dramani Mahama highlighted the growing burden of housing costs on households, noting that accommodation continues to take up a significant share of incomes.
He stressed the need for a national housing dialogue involving government, the private sector, and labour unions to develop a sustainable social housing policy.
“Housing remains a major challenge, and for many households, it is consuming a large portion of their income. We must initiate a national housing dialogue and determine how the private sector, government, and labour can collaborate to develop a social housing policy that ensures affordable housing for workers—whether through mortgage options or reasonably priced rental arrangements,” he stated.
President Mahama attributed the rising trend of excessive rent advances to Ghana’s housing deficit, which he said has created an environment for some landlords to impose unlawful charges on tenants.
Although the law caps rent advances at six months, he noted that some landlords continue to demand more. He added that both landlords and tenants often fail to seek redress through the Rent Control Department, allowing the practice to persist.
“The reason private property owners are taking advantage of tenants is due to the housing deficit. Although the law stipulates that rent advances should not exceed six months, both tenants and landlords are often unwilling to take matters to the rent court,” he explained.
He urged tenants to take action by reporting such cases, assuring them that appropriate sanctions would be applied to offending landlords.
“Tenants should report these cases to the rent court, and we will ensure that the necessary action is taken,” he stated.
The President’s remarks come amid growing public concern over the widespread practice of landlords demanding up to two years’ rent advance—an issue many have condemned as both unlawful and exploitative.
