The Rent Commissioner at the Rent Control Department of Ghana, Frederick Opoku, has urged university students to stop complaining on social media and instead pick up free assessment forms at any Rent Control office to challenge arbitrary increases in hostel fees.
His call comes amid growing frustration among university students over rising accommodation rates, unapproved price hikes and widespread non-compliance by private hostel owners near tertiary institutions.
He spoke on Radio Univers’ Campus Exclusive show.
“Under Section 10 of the Rent Act of 1963 (Act 220), we have an application for assessment form. Please, I have given it free of charge to assess—pick the form free of charge from the Rent Control office across the country. Tell us, ‘This is the name of my hostel, they increased it from A to B, and now we want to do an assessment.’”
He also emphasised that the Rent Control Department cannot take action until a student files a report, but assured students that the department will act immediately once a report is submitted.
“Now the moment you do that, the law says that when you make an application as a tenant or a student, then Rent Control will be empowered to come to the hostel to assess and to evaluate how much they are charging. If you fill it today, tomorrow I’m there. Fill it today, by evening time I’m there.”
He further emphasised that addressing the student housing crisis is not solely the responsibility of students, describing it as a collective responsibility between property managers and tenants.
He revealed that hostel operators are also required by law to obtain official assessment and registration forms to declare their property specifications, room capacities and proposed rates before admitting students.
“It’s a collective responsibility. The hostel owners themselves must come to the Rent Control Department, pick the registration and assessment forms, and submit their properties for proper evaluation,” he stated.
Describing non-compliant hostel managers as criminals, Mr Opoku warned that operating an unregistered facility and taking money from students amounts to illegal extortion.
“Anybody who decides not to respect the laws of the Republic and finds any way or means to take money under false pretences is a criminal. I won’t stop tagging them as criminals until they do the needful,” he declared.
Addressing potential interference from influential developers or political figures, Mr Opoku assured the public that the ongoing crackdown would be carried out without political bias or leniency.
He warned politicians to keep their hands off the department’s statutory duties and allow the law to take its full course.
“What I’m saying is that the laws of the Republic on rent are going to be enforced fully and nobody in this country can stop it. I’ve indicated once again, there’s no politics. We’re not going to allow politicians to be involved in this. Everybody should keep their hands off and let the law work for the first time in this country.”
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Story by Wilhemina Dushie | univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Gabriel Tecco Mensah
