Landlords Must Not Rush To Recover Building Costs Through Rent – Rent Officer

The Municipal Rent Officer for Atwima Nwabiagya South, Isaac Addai Asubonteng, has advised landlords against attempting to recover the full cost of their buildings within a short period through rent charges.

Speaking in an interview with Opemsuo Radio’s Kofi Boakye on Nkwantannanso, he said landlords are expected to operate within the provisions of the law and understand the long-term nature of property investment.

“If you are a landlord and you build a house with the aim of recovering all your investment within a short period, then you do not fully understand real estate because real estate is a long-term investment,” he stated.

Mr. Asubonteng explained that under tenancy arrangements, responsibilities for repairs are divided between landlords and tenants depending on the cause of the damage.

According to him, major repairs resulting from normal wear and tear or deterioration over time are solely the responsibility of the landlord.

“When tenants occupy a house, there are what we call major repairs and minor repairs. Major repairs are issues that arise due to wear and tear or deterioration over time, and those are the sole responsibility of the landlord,” he explained.

He added that tenants only become responsible for repairs when damage is caused directly by their negligence or actions.

Mr. Asubonteng further noted that if facilities in a property become damaged after years of normal use, landlords are expected to repair them before renewing tenancy agreements.

“If a tenant stays in a house and after two years certain facilities become damaged through normal use, it is the responsibility of the landlord to repair them before renewing the tenancy agreement,” he said.

Touching on property inspections, the Rent Officer disclosed that the Rent Act permits landlords to inspect their properties, but only after giving prior notice to tenants.

He also clarified that landlords are not legally required to provide separate electricity meters for tenants if they choose to operate a single-meter system for the property.

“As a landlord, once you build your house and decide to use one electricity meter for the property, tenants cannot force you to install separate meters,” he stated.

However, he stressed the need for transparency in the sharing of utility bills among tenants.

According to him, the Rent Control Department encourages landlords to display electricity bills openly or show them to all tenants whenever they arrive so occupants are aware of the actual amount charged.