New Rent Bill Set to be Laid Before Parliament Following Cabinet Approval – Works & Housing Minister
In order to control and regulate Ghana’s accommodation renting industry, the Minister for Works & Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye has disclosed that the new rent bill is set to be laid before parliament consideration.
According to the Minister, the new bill after careful consideration by cabinet, has been approved and has been referred to parliament for scrutiny and passage.
Mr. Asenso-Boakye revealed this on Sunday, November 13, 2022 when he took his turn at the Ministry of Information’s routine Ministers’ Press Briefing to address the media on the latest development in his sector.
Explaining the need for a new rent law, the Minister explained that the current law was passed by Parliament close to 60years ago. He added that the relevance of the existing laws haS been outlived due to the drastic changes in the population, urbanization, housing availability, rental rates, eviction controls among others.
In order to safeguard the rights and dignity of vulnerable tenants, the Minister stressed that the review “seeks to remove inherent constraints and offer incentives which will stimulate private sector investment in the rental housing sector.”
Among a number of control measures, the bill will ensure that any “landlord who demands the payment of rent in advance for more than one month in a monthly tenancy which is shorter than one month, or more than one year in a tenancy, which exceeds one year, commits an offence.”
According to Asenso-Boakye, after the approval of the new bill by Cabinet on October 27, 2022, it is expected that Parliament will commence its engagement on the bill to ensure successful enactment.
“I implore on all well-meaning Ghanaians to take particular interest in engagements and contribute to its adoption. This can be done by sending your views and expectations to your respective Members of Parliament, as the House is about to consider the draft Bill,” the Minister added.
Source: ABC News
