NUGS defends Rent Act application to student hostels, rejects operators’ claims
The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has rejected claims by some KNUST hostel operators that purpose-built student hostels are not covered by the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220).
The students’ body said the argument was inconsistent with the wording of the law and insisted that the Rent Control Department has a legal basis to regulate accommodation where rooms or defined portions of buildings are separately let to students.
The statement follows increasing concerns over the rising cost of hostel accommodation and a petition submitted by NUGS to the Rent Commissioner on April 23.
“The claims by the KNUST hostel operators in the news article are, with respect, inaccurate and do not reflect the provisions of the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220),” NUGS President Lawyer Rashid Ibrahim said in a statement shared on social media on Tuesday, August 18.
NUGS said Section 1 of Act 220 provides that, subject to specified exemptions, the law applies to all premises in Ghana.
It also cited Section 36 of the Act, which broadly defines “premises” to include a building, structure, stall or other erection, or part of one, that is the subject of a separate letting.
According to NUGS, the fact that a property was specifically constructed as a student hostel does not automatically exempt it from the Rent Act.
It argued that where a hostel operator lets a room or defined portion of a building to a student for payment, the accommodation could fall within the definition of “premises” under the Act, subject to any applicable statutory exemption.
NUGS also rejected claims that the Rent Commissioner could not undertake an assessment without an official application from a landlord, tenant or interested party.
The Union said it formally petitioned the Rent Commissioner on April 23 following complaints from students about increasing hostel fees.
It said the petition specifically called for the enforcement of relevant provisions of the Rent Act and was submitted in its capacity as the national representative body for students and an interested party.
“Students also do not need the permission of hostel operators before seeking the protection of the law or bringing their concerns to the attention of the appropriate regulatory authority,” NUGS said.
The Union further expressed concern about the affordability of private hostel accommodation, saying some students and their parents were struggling to meet hostel fees.
NUGS acknowledged the contribution of private hostel operators towards addressing Ghana’s student accommodation deficit and recognised their need to recover operating costs and make reasonable returns on their investments.