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Report Landlords Demanding Two Years’ Rent Advance - Mahama to Tenants

President John Dramani Mahama has urged tenants to report landlords who demand up to two years’ rent advance, describing the practice as unlawful and exploitative. He emphasized the need for stricter enforcement and called for collective action to address Ghana’s growing housing challenges.

President calls for stricter enforcement as housing crisis deepens in Ghana

President John Dramani Mahama has urged tenants across Ghana to report landlords who demand rent advances beyond what is legally permitted, stressing the need for stricter enforcement to curb exploitation in the housing sector.

Speaking during a meeting with Organised Labour at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, March 17, Mahama highlighted the growing burden of housing costs on households. He noted that the rising cost of rent is making it increasingly difficult for many Ghanaians to secure affordable accommodation.

“Housing is a major problem, and for households, it is consuming their income,” the President said. He called for a national housing dialogue involving government, the private sector, and labour unions to develop a sustainable social housing policy. According to him, such a policy would enable workers to access affordable housing either through mortgages or fair rental arrangements.

Mahama attributed the increasing cases of excessive rent demands to Ghana’s housing deficit, which he said is being exploited by some landlords. He reiterated that the law does not permit landlords to demand more than six months’ rent advance.

“We have the rent court, and we say do not take more than six months of rent advance, but both tenants and landlords are often unwilling to go to the rent court,” he explained.

The President encouraged tenants to take bold steps by reporting landlords who violate the law to the rent court, assuring that offenders would be sanctioned.

“You can go and report him to the rent court, and we will hold that landlord accountable,” he emphasized.

His remarks come amid increasing public frustration over the widespread practice of landlords demanding up to two years’ rent advance—an issue many Ghanaians have described as unlawful and exploitative.

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