The Rent Control Department has announced stricter enforcement of rent laws, requiring landlords and property owners to provide evidence of rent cards when accessing services from the Department starting August 17, 2026.
Landlords have also been given until November 30, 2026, to regularise the registration of their properties and tenancy agreements.
Hostel operators will also be required to follow rent-control rules from the 2026/2027 academic year where their accommodation arrangements fall under the law.
In a statement issued on Monday, August 10, Acting Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku said the measures are aimed at improving transparency, protecting tenants and making landlords more accountable.
The Department said the requirement to issue rent cards is not new.
Under the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220), landlords who rent out properties on a monthly or shorter basis must give tenants a rent card within seven days after the tenancy begins.
The card must contain the names and addresses of both the landlord and tenant, as well as the amount of rent to be paid.
From August 17, landlords who seek services from the Rent Control Department must provide evidence that they have complied with the requirement.
“Where a landlord is unable to provide satisfactory evidence of the issuance and maintenance of the required rent card, the Department may decline to process or provide the relevant administrative service until the statutory obligation has been regularised,” the Department warned.
Landlords have also been reminded to register their tenancy and lease agreements with the Rent Control Department.
The Department has therefore given landlords and property owners until November 30, 2026, to update their registration and property records.
Those who fail to comply could have their applications for services delayed or rejected until the required documents are submitted and verified.
The Rent Control Department has also clarified that hostel operators are not automatically exempt from rent-control laws simply because they provide student accommodation.
From the 2026/2027 academic year, hostel operators whose accommodation arrangements fall under the law will be required to issue rent cards to student tenants and comply with registration requirements.
They will also have to keep records of their student tenants, accommodation, rent, tenancy periods and other information required by law.
The Department said it will work with tertiary institutions, student representative bodies, hostel associations and local authorities to help implement the new measures.
The Department warned that failing to issue rent cards or register tenancy agreements is a legal matter and can constitute an offence.
It also said a landlord’s complaint against a tenant may not be considered by the Rent Control Department if the landlord has failed to meet the required legal obligations.
The Department said it will gradually increase inspections, monitoring and enforcement across the country.
However, officials said the initial approach will focus on educating landlords and hostel operators and giving them time to regularise their records.
“The Department will adopt an education-first but enforcement-backed approach, giving landlords and hostel operators reasonable opportunity to regularise their affairs while taking appropriate action against persistent or deliberate violations of the law,” it said.
