Cabinet has given green light for the draft ‘Rent Bill’ and recommended same for the consideration of Parliament.
The bill is thus left with Parliament to deliberate on it to ensure its enactment into law.
It was disclosed by the Minister for Works and Housing, Hon Francis Asenso-Boakye at a media briefing in Accra yesterday.
Mr Asenso-Boakye told the media the rent bill provided that a landlord who demanded the payment of rent in advance for more than one month in a monthly tenancy or a tenancy which was shorter than one month, or more than one year in a year’s tenancy, which exceeded one year, commited an offence, clearly identified in the bill.
The minister stated the current rent law was passed some 59 years ago and has overlived its purpose.
He stressed, “The Rent Act was passed in 1963 and had outlived its relevance with the current population growth rate.”
He explained, the review seeks to remove inherent hiccups and offer incentives, which would augment private-sector investment in the rental housing sector.
Asenso-Boakye elated, “The review is intended to safeguard the rights of vulnerable tenants who have been outpriced by the uncontrollable hikes in the cost of renting accommodation.”
He urged all well-meaning Ghanaians to take particular interest in the review proceedings and contribute to the facelift.
The Housing Minister emphasized,, “As I have mentioned in recent times, the existing law was passed by Parliament fifty-nine years ago, and therefore, its relevance has been outlived by the current population growth and urbanization, housing availability, rental rates, housing redistribution and eviction controls, amongst several other attendant difficulties, that have engulfed the housing sector.
“Your views and expectations to your respective Members of Parliament are necessary as the House is about to consider the draft bill.”
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