President John Dramani Mahama has expressed concern over the persistent violation of rent advance regulations, despite laws that cap rent advances at a maximum of six months.

According to him, weak enforcement has enabled unfair rental practices to continue, with many landlords still demanding exorbitant advance payments from prospective tenants.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony for the Green City Project at Dedesua in the Ashanti Region, President Mahama noted that tenants, often pressured by urgent housing needs, rarely report such violations to the appropriate authorities for action to be taken.

“We have a rent court that is supposed to prosecute cases where house owners take more than six months. Unfortunately, both the house owner and the one who wants to rent the property are not prepared to go and report.

“That has been the main problem in enforcing this law. The one who wants to rent needs a place to lay his head, and the landlord also wants money to invest in something. Our goal is simple, fairness, protection, and dignity for tenants,” he said.

President Mahama further indicated that the National Home Ownership Fund will continue to provide long-term financing support, particularly for retirees, to help guarantee housing security after years of public service.

He added that the Green City Project comes at a crucial time as the government steps up efforts to address the country’s housing deficit and improve access to affordable housing nationwide.

The Rent Control Department has set April 1 for the full implementation of the Rent Act, 1963, as amended in 2020, warning that landlords who demand more than the stipulated six months’ rent advance will be prosecuted.

The move forms part of efforts to enforce existing rent laws and protect tenants from the burden of excessive advance rent demands.

The Acting Rent Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, described the practice of charging one to two years’ rent in advance as illegal and unfair.

“The law is clear! Advance rent should not exceed six months. We will strictly enforce it, and offenders will be prosecuted,” he stressed.

had set April 1, 2026, for the full implementation of the Rent Act, 1963, as amended in 2020, warning that landlords who demand more than the stipulated six months’ rent advance will be prosecuted.

The move forms part of efforts to enforce existing rent laws and protect tenants from the burden of excessive advance rent demands.

The Acting Rent Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, described the practice of charging one to two years’ rent in advance as illegal and unfair.

“The law is clear! Advance rent should not exceed six months. We will strictly enforce it, and offenders will be prosecuted,” he stressed.