A practical checklist, and the rent card rules every tenant should know.
Most rental disputes in Ghana do not start with a dramatic event. They start with something small that nobody wrote down: a leaking tap that was already leaking, a meter that already had a debt on it, or rent that was paid without a receipt. The best time to prevent these problems is before you move in, and on the day you move in. This guide gives a practical checklist, and explains the rent card and registration rules that the Rent Control Department announced in 2026.
This guide is general information only and is not legal advice. Rules and deadlines can change, so confirm current details with the Rent Control Department.
In August 2026, the Acting Rent Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, announced that landlords must follow existing rules that many had ignored. Under Section 20(1) of the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220), a landlord renting on a monthly or shorter tenancy must give the tenant a rent card within seven days of the tenancy starting. A rent card must show the names and addresses of the landlord and the tenant and the rent payable. The department also said residential landlords must register every lease or tenancy agreement with it within 14 days, and give it details of their tenants and the rent paid.
The dates to remember are 17 August 2026, from when landlords seeking the department's services must show evidence that they have complied, and 30 November 2026, the deadline for landlords to regularise their tenancy registrations and property records. Student hostel operators whose accommodation falls under the rent laws must comply from the 2026/2027 academic year. The department said it will start with education and a chance to comply, but will act against persistent or deliberate violations, and that it may delay or refuse services to landlords who have not met these duties. It also said a landlord's complaint against a tenant will not be heard unless the landlord has met these obligations.
For you as a tenant, the practical meaning is simple: the duty to issue the rent card is the landlord's, so ask for it. If you do not receive one, or the landlord says it is not needed, you can ask the nearest Rent Control office for help. The announcement did not describe a separate process for tenants to apply for a card themselves. An earlier report from the Koforidua office advised tenants to keep their tenancy agreement papers and rent receipts, since these help when a rent card is processed.
A real estate professional writing in the Graphic in 2025 advises confirming that the person presenting as the landlord is the real owner, by asking for proof such as a title deed, a deed of indenture, or an allocation paper, and signing with the owner or a legally authorised representative. For large payments he suggests checking ownership details with the Lands Commission. Even if you rent directly through a platform like ours, this habit protects you. Read our guides on spotting a rental scam and tenancy agreements before you pay.
Water. Open every tap and flush the toilet. Look for leaks under the sink and around the bathroom, and ask where the water comes from and whether there is a storage tank or borehole. Our guide on water and electricity arrangements lists the questions to ask.
Electricity. Switch on every light and test every socket. Check whether the room has its own meter or shares one, whether it is prepaid or postpaid, and whether any balance is owed on it. The Graphic article specifically advises checking that meters carry no unpaid balances, and getting the arrangements in writing.
Walls, roof, and floor. Look for damp patches, cracks, signs of leaks on the ceiling, and pests. These are much harder to raise as a complaint after you have moved in, because the landlord can say you caused them.
Doors, windows, and locks. Test every lock and window latch, and count the keys you are given. Ask whether the previous tenant had a copy.
The surroundings. Visit once in the day and once at night, and talk to neighbours or nearby shop owners about noise, security, and flooding. Our city guides link to official flood reports for the main cities.
Take photos and videos. The Graphic article advises taking photos or videos of the property before moving in. Record every defect, including small ones, and take a picture of the meter readings on the day you receive the keys.
Ask the landlord to list the defects you found, and to sign and date the list, or at least to confirm it by message so that there is a written record. Do the same for any fittings that come with the room, such as a fan, wardrobe, or water heater. Make sure the tenancy agreement states the rent, the payment schedule, the length of the tenancy, and who handles repairs, and keep a copy. If the landlord promises to fix something, ask for the promise and the date in writing.
A Rent Officer in Koforidua explained in a 2022 report that rent receipts act as proof and help tenants avoid disputes. Every payment should be recorded, whether it is the advance, the first month, or a later rent, and the receipt should show the date, the amount, what it covers, and the name of the person who received it. If you pay by mobile money, keep the confirmation message. Never hand over cash without being given something in writing.
Keep your calm and keep your records. The same Rent Officer advised tenants to seek help from the Rent Control office on any concern, and warned against settling disagreements by taking the law into your own hands, noting that the office had recorded cases of landlords locking tenants out. Our guide on the Rent Control Department explains how to file a complaint.
Check ownership, inspect everything, photograph everything, get the defects and the terms in writing, ask for your rent card, and keep every receipt. A few minutes spent on these steps can save you from losing money or a deposit later.
MyJoyOnline, Rent Control makes rent cards mandatory for landlords and hostel operators from August 17, August 2026
Ghanaian Times, Rent Control sets November 30 deadline for landlords, August 2026
GNA, Tenants urged to obtain rent cards for optimal service delivery, August 2022
Graphic Online, Renting made easy: 5 tips for a smooth experience, October 2025
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