Noise, illegal acts and unauthorised renovations can lead to eviction — Rent Control boss
The Acting Rent Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, has cautioned tenants against carrying out renovations or alterations to rented properties without first obtaining permission from their landlords.
According to him, tenants have a responsibility to respect the terms under which they occupy rented accommodation and should not assume ownership rights over properties simply because they are paying rent.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily programme, Mr Opoku stressed that any modification to a rented apartment, including repainting walls or redesigning interiors, required the consent of the landlord.
“You need consent. How can you, on your own, decide that because the colour is blue, you want green and then go ahead to change it? Is the room yours?” he asked.
He explained that tenancy agreements impose obligations on both landlords and tenants, adding that many disputes in Ghana’s rental sector stem from a lack of understanding of those responsibilities.
Mr Opoku noted that while landlords cannot arbitrarily evict tenants who are honouring their rental obligations, tenants who fail to pay rent or engage in misconduct could face eviction through the appropriate legal process.
He further warned that tenants who use rented premises for illegal or immoral activities, including drug-related offences, risk losing their accommodation.
The Acting Rent Commissioner also urged tenants to maintain properties in a clean and habitable condition throughout their stay.
“You are expected to keep the place tidy and tenantable. How you met it, leave it like that,” he said.
Expressing concern about growing indiscipline among some tenants, Mr Opoku criticised behaviours such as unauthorised interior modifications and excessive noise-making that disturb neighbours and damage properties.
“They come and put wallpaper all over the room and do whatever pleases them simply because they have rented it. Some even play loud music and disturb adjoining tenants with impunity,” he stated.
