The platform, rentcontrol.mwh.gov.gh, will allow both landlords and tenants to handle crucial tasks online, such as registering properties, filing complaints and resolving disputes without visiting the Rent Control offices in person.

One of the platform’s key features is its ability to facilitate the digital signing of tenancy agreements, streamlining rental processes and eliminating the need for physical paperwork, which will not only save time but also ensure more secure and transparent record-keeping.

Additionally, the platform will advertise available rental properties online, making it easier for tenants to find accommodation without intermediaries such as agents.

Commitment

The Deputy Minister for Works and Housing, Dr Prince Hamid Armah, who spoke at yesterday’s launch, said the digital platform was a testament to commitment to efficiency, transparency and inclusivity.

“Today, we celebrate more than just a technological advancement; we are inaugurating a transformative leap in how public services are delivered in Ghana,” Dr Armah stated.

Furthermore, he said his outfit was committed to extending these benefits to all regions of Ghana, positioning the country as a leader in public service innovation across Africa.

“The launch of rentcontrol.mwh.gov.gh represents a new chapter for Ghana’s rental market, promising a more streamlined, transparent and accessible service for all,” Mr Ampofo said.

Convenience

The deputy minister said the digital platform, powered by a partnership with SuperTech Limited, was now operational in 15 offices across 11 regions.

“This digital transformation is about more than convenience, It’s about levelling the playing field for all Ghanaians regardless of their geographical location or socio-economic status. We are ensuring that everyone has equal access to fair and efficient rental services,” Dr Armah stated.

The Chief Rent Manager, Twum Ampofo, described the initiative as a transformative step forward.

“This is a defining moment for the Rent Control Department. We have long been burdened by manual processes that caused delays and frustrations for the public. With this digital platform, we are finally providing the efficiency and accessibility that Ghanaians deserve,” he said.

The goal is to reduce the need for in-person visits, making the system more accessible, particularly for people living in remote areas.

“Our department has always been committed to ensuring peaceful coexistence between landlords and tenants, and this tool will help us do that more effectively.

“We can now reach Ghanaians no matter where they are, without them having to travel long distances to access our services,” Mr Ampofo said.

Embrace

Consequently, Mr Ampofo called on the public to embrace the new system.

“This platform is not just about technology; it’s about making rental services fairer, more efficient, and accessible to all Ghanaians. We are confident that it will make a significant difference in how rental services are experienced in this country.”

Confidence

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Works and Housing, Rev. Stephen Yaw Osei, emphasised the importance of bridging the gap between the department and the communities it served, noting that the platform would ensure compliance with rental regulations and enhance transparency.

He further expressed confidence that the platform would curb exploitation by landlords, provide faster reconciliation of disputes and easier access to information.

“This project is not just about embracing technology; it’s about building a more responsive, accessible and transparent system for all. We encourage everyone to explore this new system and provide feedback as we continue to improve,” he added.

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Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister, Dr. Prince Hamid Armah hailed the platform as a major milestone in modernizing the rental housing sector.

The new system, rentcontrol.mwh.gov.gh, allows landlords and tenants to access services such as property registration, complaint filing, and tenancy agreements online, eliminating the need for in-person visits.

Dr. Armah emphasized that, this digital transformation would enhance efficiency, transparency, and accessibility, particularly for Ghanaians in remote areas.

The initiative, part of the government’s broader push for digitization, will streamline rental services across 15 offices in 11 regions, reducing the bureaucratic delays that have long plagued the sector.

Dr. Armah noted that this development aligns with the government’s commitment to making Ghana a leader in public service delivery on the African continent.

The platform is expected to bring fairness and convenience to the rental market, improving interactions between landlords and tenants while saving citizens time and resources.

“This digital platform is not just a convenience—it is an equalizer. For too long, the frustrations of the manual system have disproportionately affected those who live far from the urban centers, who cannot afford to take time off work to queue for hours, and who do not have the means to navigate complex and often opaque processes. This platform brings justice, fairness, and efficiency to the doorsteps of every Ghanaian, regardless of where they live or their financial circumstances.

“As part of our broader vision for public sector transformation, the digitalization of the Rent Control Department is just the beginning. The Ministry of Works and Housing is committed to extending this transformation to all 16 regions of the country. No Ghanaian will be left behind as we move toward a future where technology serves the people, not the other way around.

“By embracing digitalization, we are positioning Ghana to be a leader on the African continent in public service delivery. This is more than just a technological shift; it is a cultural shift—one that reflects our government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the empowerment of all citizens. The digital age is upon us, and Ghana is ready to lead, not follow,” Dr Armah said.

Source: Adomonline

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This growing menace is causing significant distress among those seeking real estate properties.

The surging demand for housing, coupled with a thriving real estate market, has led more individuals to seek assistance from rental agents.

Unfortunately, this trend has also created a breeding ground for fraudulent activities, with many unsuspecting property seekers falling prey to these unlicensed agents.

These opportunistic agents are capitalising on the soaring demand for housing, targeting individuals who are desperately searching for suitable accommodation.

JoyNews’ Joyce Ofori Amoako files a report on this pressing issue.

According to the department, the highest number was recorded in 2021 with 20,221 cases followed by 20,080 cases last year, while 18,069 cases in were recorded 2019 and 14, 982 of the landlord-tenant cases were received in 2020.

Giving the breakdown, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Rent Control Department, Emmanuel Hovey Kporsu, said 60,622 cases out of the 73, 352 were settled, while 5,038 cases were pending and 1,662 cases withdrawn.

He revealed that 4, 452 of the cases had been struck out and 1,578 of such cases referred to the law courts.

Mr Kporsu who was speaking to the Ghanaian Times in an exclusive interview in Accra last Thursday to highlight rent issues in the country said the recent economic downturn had affected landlords and tenants’ relationships as a lot of tenants were finding it difficult to meet their payment schedule, thereby leading to litigation.

Non-payment of rent, he said accounted for 73 percent with the remaining 27 percent being tenants taking on landlords for forceful eviction, unreasonable rent increases, and delay or refusal to refund tenant’s balance of rent advance if the premises was later discovered not to meet their expectation.

To help reduce rent cases, Mr Kporsu said early this year, the government launched the National Rent Assistance Scheme (NRAS) to provide rent loans to both for­mal and informal sector workers with regular income.

He explained that eligible persons must be Ghanaian, possess a valid Ghana Card, be 18 years and above, have verifiable employment and earned income, verifiable bank statement or mobile money state­ment, and rent payable must not ex­ceed 30 percent of the household income.

So far, 860 people across the country have benefited from the scheme.

Greater Accra accounted for 536 beneficiaries representing 63.3 percent, 151, representing 17.6 percent for the Ashanti Region, Bono East with 87, representing 10.1 percent, Western Region with 67 representing 7.8 percent, 11 in Eastern representing 1.3 percent and eight people in the Northern Region representing 0.9 per cent.

This, he advised citizens who have intention to rent and do not have the means to rent the maxi­mum rent advance, to register with NRAS to go through the eligible procedures to secure the house.

Mr. Kporsu noted that it was illegal for landlords to increase rent rates without the prior assessment and approval of the Rent Control Department, as all new rent rates must be approved by them to make sure it suited both parties.

“Under Section 19, (1) it says no landlord of premises shall collect from the tenant of such premises any increase of rate attributable to any increase of rate in respect of such premises unless he has notified the tenant previously in writing in a prescribed form, the amount of the old rate, the amount of the new rate and where part of any premises has been let, the amount of rate attributed to such part, the amount of the increase in rent and that from which the new rate takes effect,” he noted.

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Rent Control Officer, Emmanuel Harvey Kporsu, speaking on the matter, disclosed that landlords who demand more than six months rent advance could face jail time.

Speaking on Joy News’ Law programme, Monday, he reiterated that as far as the law is concerned, such a financial move is illegal.

“Under section 255 of the Rent Act 1963; Act 220 section 25 sub-section 5; Any person who has a condition of grounds renewal or continuity of tenancy demand in a case of a short or monthly tenancy the payment in advance or more than a month rent or in the case of tenancy exceeding six months the payment in advance of more than six months rent shall be guilty of an offence and upon conviction reliable to a fine not exceeding 500 penalty units equivalent to GHC 6,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years,’’ he quoted.

Per the law, defiant landlords will either be fined GHC 6,000 or imprisoned for two years when found guilty.

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However, the officer revealed that is based on the discretion of the Magistrate, elaborating that landlords can be fined and imprisoned at the same time when found guilty.

Mr Kporsu urged landlords to strictly adhere to this law, in order to avoid disputes with tenants.

Many tenants say they are entitled to such an arrangement while they find a new place.

However, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) at the Rent Control Department, Emmanuel Hovey Kporsu, speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, said such a claim is a misconception as there is no such provision in the rent laws.

“This notion in the minds of tenants that when you are being evicted, you should be given three months grace period is not in our laws,” he said.

According to him, a landlord owes no tenant any grace period, let alone permitting the tenant to stay for the period on free rent.

“So there’s no free rent, and there’s no grace period,” he said on Thursday.

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He added that Section 31 of the Rent Law indicates that, “nothing should prevent the landlord from collecting his rent from any tenant.”

Mr Kporsu wondered why a landlord would pay their annual or property rate, only for a tenant after the rent period to say, “I should divide that property rate into how many sections, then give you three months free, who is going to pay for that.”

The PRO, however, explained: “The scenario is that if you’ve come to stay on somebody’s premises and you want to dwell in for a year, getting to the third or second month to the end of your tenancy, you should start a conversation, start talking to the landlord whether you will renew it or you want to vacate.”

He further noted that the engagement will afford the landlord, since he is a commercial venture, also to start looking for somebody to come and dwell in the room when the incumbent tenant moves out.

“But you wait till the end of your tenancy before you go to the landlord or you run to the Rent Control Department that you want grace period and then also that the grace period must be free, this as I said, there’s no grace period, and there’s no free rent,” he stressed.

The office at Amasaman is said to have been shut down after the department failed to pay its rent for the past five months.

In a latest press statement, the Rent Control has debunked such rumours, stating that they are just to paint the department in a negative light.

The statement added that none of their offices has been locked down, and they are not under any landlord by name Mr Joseph Nsiah Abugri, as claimed.

Find attached statement below: