Rent Woes: The Real Struggle of Urban Housing

Byline: By Jasmine

Accra, Ghana — At 6:00 a.m., 29-year-old Richard Owusu begins his daily commute from Pokuase to Adabraka. He spends over two hours in traffic. But that’s not the hardest part of his day.

“The toughest thing,” he says, “is knowing I pay ₵1,200 a month for a single room with shared bath — and I had to pay two years in advance.”

Like thousands of other Ghanaians, Richard is caught in the brutal web of urban housing stress, where tenants often cough up two years’ rent upfront, negotiate with unlicensed agents, and fight off eviction notices — all for cramped, substandard living.

Ghana’s Rent Landscape: A Crisis of Access

The Rent Act of 1963 (Act 220) legally prohibits landlords from charging more than six months’ rent in advance. But in practice, this law is largely ignored.

In cities like Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi:

Landlords demand 1–3 years’ rent before handing over keys
Rent is charged per room, not per unit
Agents often request 5–10% “commission” from both parties
Many rental agreements are verbal, offering tenants little legal protection

The result? Housing insecurity, financial stress, and a system that disproportionately punishes the poor.

The Numbers Behind the Pain

According to a 2023 report by the Ghana Statistical Service:

Only 11% of urban residents own their homes
Over 60% of urban dwellers live in rented or informal housing
Ghana needs over 5 million new housing units to meet current demand
Affordable housing projects remain underfunded and underdelivered

“This is not just a housing shortage,” says economist Professor Maame Boatemaa. “It’s a structural failure.”

Real People, Real Struggles

Afia Mensah, a teacher in Tema, lives with her husband and two kids in a chamber-and-hall setup. She paid ₵9,000 upfront for a two-year lease.

“We borrowed from a susu group,” she says. “Now we repay every month with interest — and still pay utility bills.”

In Adenta, Kwabena was evicted without notice after just eight months because his room was sold to a new landlord. “They said I could move out or renegotiate at double the price,” he recalls.

Why Landlords Demand Years of Advance

Many landlords cite economic uncertainty:

Inflation reduces real rental income over time
Ghana’s legal system makes eviction difficult, especially for defaulting tenants
Some landlords use the advance as informal loans to complete or renovate their buildings
With no mortgage culture, landlords rely on tenants’ money for property development

“It’s not greed,” says Mr. Appiah, a landlord in Weija. “It’s how we survive too.”

Informality Breeds Exploitation

In the absence of formal housing systems, an entire gray market of agents, caretakers, and intermediaries has emerged.

Some charge “viewing fees” of ₵50–₵100 per room
Others demand payment before confirming room availability
Few provide receipts or contracts
Disputes are common, and justice is rare

“I was shown a room, paid advance, and the next week it was rented to someone else,” says one victim in Ashaiman. “The agent vanished.”

A Gendered Burden

For single women, especially young professionals and students, renting comes with added scrutiny.

“You’re judged by what you wear,” says 25-year-old Sandra, a nurse. “Some landlords even demand to meet your father or husband.”

Sexual harassment and discrimination are frequently reported, yet seldom addressed by law enforcement.

Government Intervention: Mostly on Paper

The Rent Control Department exists to mediate disputes, regulate rent, and enforce the Rent Act.

But it remains underfunded, understaffed, and overwhelmed.

There are only regional offices in a few cities
Most cases take months to resolve
Enforcement is weak, especially in informal settlements

In 2022, the government announced plans to revise the Rent Act and establish a national rent assistance scheme. But as of mid-2025, implementation remains stalled.

Promising Solutions — and Why They Stall

Rent-to-own programs
- Usually limited to salaried workers
- Lack flexible criteria for informal earners
Public housing estates
- Often poorly maintained
- Suffer from political interference
Affordable housing partnerships with private developers
- Pricing often excludes low-income renters
- Delays and corruption hamper execution
Tenant cooperatives and community land trusts
- Still in pilot stages
- Require legal and civic support

Coping Strategies

Despite the chaos, people survive with creativity and resilience:

Joining rotating savings groups (susu) to raise lump sums
Living in shared apartments with friends or relatives
Using social media housing groups to bypass exploitative agents
Signing short-term hostel leases while saving for longer stays

“I’ve moved five times in six years,” Richard says. “But one day, I’ll build my own.”

Final Thought

The urban housing struggle in Ghana is more than just a roof-over-your-head issue. It’s about dignity, fairness, and the right to live without exploitation.

Until government policy matches lived reality, the weight of rent will keep falling heaviest on those with the fewest options.

“I just want a place I can afford,” Afia says. “A place where I don’t have to sleep with one eye open — for the landlord.”