Gov’t to digitise operations of rent control dept – Bawumia

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has announced the decision of the government to digitise the operations of the Rent Control Department.

According to Dr Bawumia, with digitisation, landlords and tenants will have an option to register as well as submit their tenancy agreements electronically.

“This will reduce the queues at the office and enhance efficiency. Each property will be uniquely identified by the digital property address. From next year all complaints by tenants or landlords can be filed online,” Dr Bawumia said.

He made the disclosure when he visited the Rent Control Department to observe their operations and understand their challenges on Wednesday, 15 July 2020.

Dr Bawumia was accompanied by the Minister for Works and Housing Atta Akyea and his deputy Mrs. Barbara Ayisi.

The Vice President also noted that on rent advance, the government will be introducing a new programme to bridge the information and financial gap between tenants and landlords.

The programme he said will enhance the creditworthiness of tenants and, therefore, reduce the need for large rent advance requests by landlords.

“The government will also be focusing, going forward, on increasing the stock of low-income social housing for rent,” he noted adding that “Cabinet has also received and is working on a new Rent Control Bill to replace the existing Rent Control Act (Act 220), passed in 1963. This will enhance the enforcement powers of the rent control board amongst others.”