His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, has called on tenants to report landlords who demand rent advances beyond what is permitted by law, urging stricter enforcement to address exploitation within the housing sector.
Speaking during a meeting with organised labour at Jubilee House on Tuesday, March 17, the President highlighted the growing burden of housing costs on households, noting that access to affordable accommodation is becoming increasingly difficult.
“Housing is a major challenge, and for many households, it is consuming a significant portion of their income. We need a national housing dialogue to determine how the private sector, government, and labour can collaborate to develop a social housing policy that guarantees affordable housing for workers, whether through mortgages or rental schemes,” he said.
President Mahama attributed the growing trend of excessive rent advances to the country’s housing deficit, explaining that some landlords are exploiting the situation to impose unlawful charges on tenants.
“The reason private property owners are taking advantage is because of the housing deficit. We have the rent court, and the law clearly states that rent advances should not exceed six months. However, both tenants and landlords are often reluctant to seek redress through the rent court,” he added.
