Chairman of Real Estate Agents Association in the Sekondi/Takoradi, Samuel KB Hason has said unavailability and lack of affordable state houses form part of the high charges paid as rent by tenants in the Metropolis.
According to him, this has created an avenue for landlords and ladies to peg their rent prices at higher rates due to scarce housing units.
He noted that the high demand for accommodation is not at par with the supply which has created a shortage in house renting.
He further said, ” most house owners prefer to charge two-year advance rent which is sometimes difficult for people to contend with.”
However, the Ghana Rent Act of 1963 (as amended) states that a deposit of six months is the maximum that a landlord can request from a tenant.
This national rental assistance scheme will embolden landlords to keep charging the two-year advance rent which is illegal in terms of the rent Act.
He mentions how regulating bodies are not up to the task to ensure equity, which has resulted in the rapid increase in unapproved rent fees.
Lack of regulation in the housing units are some of the challenges facing most people in the country.
He called on the government should equip the enforcing agents to bring sanity into the renting of houses.
Chairman Hanson nonetheless urged government to establish more affordable houses to reduce housing deficit.
