Government to Resubmit Rent Act Review Bill to Cabinet for Modernization

The Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources is taking steps to resubmit the Rent Act review bill to Cabinet and subsequently Parliament following the completion of a national rent dialogue to validate proposed amendments.

The Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Hon. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, disclosed on Wednesday that the review of the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220) and the Rent Control Law, 1986 (P.N.D.C.L 138) aims to modernize outdated legislation, eliminate regulatory bottlenecks, and incentivize private sector investment in rental housing.

“The Ministry is taking the necessary steps to resubmit the Bill to Cabinet and subsequently Parliament for consideration and approval,” Mr Adjei stated during his presentation at the Government Accountability Series.

The Minister explained that the reforms prioritize maintaining tenant protections, especially for low-income and vulnerable groups, while also regulating hostel accommodations across the country.

He noted that recognizing the role of rental housing in national development, the Ministry has continued the review process, which included a national rent dialogue undertaken to validate and streamline the proposed amendments.

The modernization effort seeks to address challenges in Ghana’s rental housing market and create an enabling environment that encourages private sector participation while safeguarding the interests of tenants.

The current laws, dating back to 1963 and 1986, have been identified as requiring updates to reflect contemporary realities in the housing sector and address emerging issues in rental accommodation.

Richard Aniagyei, ISD