Ghana and Nigeria consider new rental market regulations

In Ghana, Acting Rent Control Commissioner Frederick Opoku has warned rental agents and brokers that charging tenants more than 5% of the annual rent is unlawful. Citing Section 25(1) of the Rent Act, 1963, Mr. Opoku stated that demands for 10% fees should be treated as criminal offenses. The Rent Control Department intends to collaborate with the Real Estate Agency Council to penalize violators and remove unqualified operators from the market.

Additionally, Mr. Opoku warned landlords against unlawful evictions, such as changing locks or cutting off essential services. He also announced that starting in 2027, student hostels will be required to issue rent cards and meet specific department assessment requirements.

In Nigeria, the House of Representatives is considering a bill to prohibit landlords and agents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from demanding more than 12 months of rent upfront. Sponsored by Paul Nnamchi and Ahmed Doro, the legislation aims to establish the FCT Rent Regulation and Tenants’ Protection Authority to monitor compliance and resolve disputes.

The proposed bill includes measures to prevent landlords from using intermediaries or artificial service charges to bypass rent limits. Violators could face significant fines, ranging from N500,000 to N20 million for corporate offenders.