President John Mahama has urged Ghanaian tenants to report landlords who demand excessive rent advance payments, reaffirming that the law caps such demands at six months.
Speaking during a dialogue with Organised Labour at the Jubilee House on Tuesday March 17, the President traced the root of the problem to the country’s chronic housing deficit, which he said creates a climate of desperation that unscrupulous landlords exploit — often demanding up to one or two years’ rent upfront before handing over keys.
Mahama was unequivocal: such demands are unlawful. The Rent Control Act, he stressed, expressly prohibits landlords from collecting more than six months’ advance rent, and any violation should be reported to the appropriate authorities.
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Yet the President acknowledged the uncomfortable reality that makes enforcement an uphill task. Many tenants, faced with the prospect of losing a roof over their heads, simply pay what is demanded rather than pursue redress through the rent court. The result is a cycle where the law exists on paper but carries little weight on the ground.
“No Ghanaian should pay more than six months’ rent advance,” he declared, calling for stricter reporting and enforcement to break that cycle and protect renters from financial exploitation.
The remarks align with broader government moves to tighten housing affordability measures, with stricter enforcement mechanisms — including mandatory rent cards — expected to take effect around April 2026.