MANDATE & LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Our Legal Authority.
The RCD's work is grounded in a clear legal framework. Plain-language summaries are paired with full document downloads for legal and policy stakeholders.
Legal Basis
The Department operates under four key pieces of legislation. Each is summarised below in plain language.
Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220)
The foundational legislation governing rent administration and landlord-tenant relations in Ghana. Act 220 establishes the legal basis for rent control, sets out the rights of tenants and the duties of landlords, and provides the framework for enforcement. It remains the primary statute under which the Rent Control Department operates.
Key Provisions
- —Limits on advance rent — landlords may not demand more than three months' rent in advance
- —Prohibition on unlawful eviction without due process and lawful notice
- —Right of tenants to a written tenancy agreement
- —Departmental authority to investigate, adjudicate, and enforce rent disputes
PNDCL 138 — Rent Control Framework
The Rent Control framework established under PNDCL 138 defines the Department's regulatory and enforcement powers, including the authority to set rent guidelines, conduct inspections, and take action against non-compliant landlords. It operates alongside Act 220 and together they form the core legal framework for rent administration in Ghana.
Key Provisions
- —Establishment of the Rent Control Department and its mandate
- —Powers of rent officers to inspect, investigate, and enforce compliance
- —Framework for setting and publishing rent guidelines
- —Penalties and sanctions for violations of rent control requirements
ADR Act, 2010 (Act 798)
The Alternative Dispute Resolution Act provides the legal basis for mandatory pre-mediation and ADR pathways in rent disputes. It enables the Department to refer cases to ADR centres, require parties to attempt mediation before formal hearings, and recognise mediated settlements as binding. ADR is the Department's preferred route for resolving disputes efficiently and with less adversarial cost to all parties.
Key Provisions
- —Legal recognition of mediation and arbitration as binding dispute resolution mechanisms
- —Authority to mandate pre-mediation before formal tribunal hearings
- —Framework for referring cases to accredited ADR centres
- —Enforceability of mediated settlement agreements
Rent Bill 2026 — Emerging Framework
The Rent Bill 2026 is the emerging legislative framework that will support the transition from the Rent Control Department to the Office of the Rent Commissioner. It is currently advancing through Parliament and is expected to strengthen institutional authority, modernise enforcement powers, and formally establish the digital rent management framework including the National Rent Register.
Key Provisions
- —Establishment of the Office of the Rent Commissioner
- —Legal basis for the National Rent Register and digital tenancy system
- —Strengthened enforcement powers and penalty framework
- —Mandatory tenancy registration and standardised agreement requirements
Statutory Functions
The RCD is empowered to carry out the following functions under its mandate:
- 01
Receive, process, investigate, and adjudicate complaints from tenants and landlords
- 02
Administer pre-mediation and refer eligible cases to ADR centres under Act 798
- 03
Maintain the National Rent Register and oversee tenancy registration
- 04
Publish rent guidelines and advise on lawful rent practices under Act 220 and PNDCL 138
- 05
Investigate and enforce against unlawful eviction, excessive advance rent, and harassment
- 06
Issue orders, sanctions, and penalties for violations of the rent control framework
- 07
Provide public education and legal information on tenant rights and landlord duties
- 08
Support the transition to the Office of the Rent Commissioner
Institutional Relationships
The RCD works in coordination with a range of institutions to fulfil its mandate across Ghana.
Ministry of Works, Housing & Water Resources
Parent ministry — policy direction, budgetary oversight, and legislative sponsorship
Office of the Rent Commissioner
Successor institution under the Rent Bill 2026 — the Department is currently transitioning toward this framework
ADR Centres
Accredited mediation and arbitration bodies to which rent disputes are referred under Act 798
Ghana Police Service
Joint enforcement partner under the Police–Rent Control Joint Enforcement Protocols (PRCEP)
Metropolitan, Municipal & District Assemblies (MMDAs)
Local administration partners for regional enforcement and office operations
Courts
Judicial oversight — Department decisions may be appealed to the courts; criminal enforcement referred as appropriate
Need help applying the law to your situation?
File a complaint, download forms, or contact the Department for guidance.