The National Tenants Union of Ghana has issued a pressing call to Parliament to pass the Rent Bill 2022 into law before the 8th Parliament dissolves in December 2024.
The Union is sounding the alarm on landlords’ exorbitant rent costs and unfair practices, which are perpetuating poverty and stifling the growth of indigenous businesses.
The Cabinet-approved Rent Bill 2022 aims to limit rent advance payments to a maximum of one year, providing relief to tenants by ending the practice of forcing them to pay three to five years’ rent in advance. Parliament has stalled the bill for over 15 months, and the Union fears that if lawmakers fail to pass it before recessing, they will force the Union to start the process all over again.
The Union has appealed to the Speaker, Majority and Minority Caucuses, and the Housing Committee of Parliament to prioritize the Rent Bill, drawing parallels with the urgency shown in passing the LGBTQ+ bill. The Union urges constituents to petition their Members of Parliament to recognize the importance of passing the Rent Bill as a social contract, crucial for their mandate renewal in the December 2024 elections.
The National Tenants Union of Ghana emphasizes the need for effective housing policies, citing a housing deficit of 2 million units and the lack of a clear rental housing policy that caters to the informal majority. The Union demands swift action from Parliament to address the plight of tenants and indigenous businesses suffering under the current rent regime.
