Landlords can take legal action against tenants over misconduct – Rent Commissioner

By: Winifred Fosua Agyekum

Landlords have the right to take action against tenants whose conduct on rented premises violates tenancy conditions, including cases where a tenant repeatedly brings multiple sexual partners to the property, Rent Commissioner Frederick Opoku has said.

Mr Opoku explained that tenants’ rights to occupy rented premises do not give them unlimited freedom to use the property in ways that may breach agreed conditions or create problems for landlords and other occupants.

His comments highlight the responsibilities that come with renting a property and the circumstances under which a landlord may seek to terminate a tenancy.

According to the Rent Commissioner, landlords may raise concerns where a tenant’s activities on the premises become inconsistent with the terms of the tenancy agreement or affect the proper use and management of the property.

He indicated that the issue is not simply about a tenant having visitors, but about conduct that may amount to a breach of the conditions governing the occupation of the property.

The position brings into focus a broader issue in Ghana’s rental sector, where disputes frequently arise over the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants.

While tenants are entitled to privacy and peaceful enjoyment of premises they lawfully occupy, landlords also have an interest in ensuring that their properties are used in accordance with agreed tenancy arrangements.

Mr Opoku’s comments therefore suggest that tenants who repeatedly engage in conduct that contravenes those arrangements could face action from their landlords.

However, landlords cannot simply resort to force or arbitrary measures to remove tenants. Any attempt to end a tenancy must be carried out in accordance with the applicable legal and tenancy procedures.

The Rent Commissioner’s remarks also serve as a reminder to prospective tenants to carefully examine tenancy agreements before signing them and to understand the conditions attached to occupying a property.

For landlords, the issue underscores the importance of clearly stating acceptable conditions of occupation and following the proper procedures when a tenant is alleged to have breached those conditions.

The comments by Mr Opoku come at a time when questions surrounding landlord tenant relations, eviction procedures and the protection of rights on rented premises continue to generate public interest.