The National Rent Control Department has visited hostel facilities unannounced to verify allegations of illegal rent pricing, particularly in tertiary institutions across Ghana.

The visit follows a petition from the National Union of Ghana Students.

During the inspections, the rent control officials visited some hostel facilities at the University of Ghana (Legon) in the Greater Accra Region.

They found that several facilities do not have certification from the Tourism Authority.

They also reported that room dimensions were not clearly communicated, and that prices were not aligned with both accommodation and hospitality standards as the officials stated that pricing was inconsistent.

Speaking during the exercise, the Rent Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, emphasised that the law is intended to protect both landlords and tenants that landlords should not take advantage of any shortage in oversight systems to exploit students, noting that some charges were “outrageous”.

"Two in a room they are taking GHC10,000 now we don't understand the methods that they use in pricing, landlords must not take advantage of the shortage of the system to duping, steal and exploit people like what the hostel people are doing and this is outrageous.

"I'm scandalized to see what I'm seeing here with that cubicles they call hostels and duping and exploiting that is criminal and I repeat hostel people are perpetuating criminality," he stated.

He also expressed disappointment in the hostel facility owners and authorities based on the findings from the visitation.

Mr Opoku called on the Tourism Authority, which registers and legalises hostels, to address the issues immediately.

He said the current situation is concerning, and urged the authorities to act on what he described as a worsening pattern.

He further stated that Rent Control does not register hostels or regulate them, and that there is no conflict with the Tourism Authority.

However, he said the department is invoking its jurisdiction and powers to access rent. He warned that no hostel has the right to increase rent, and that any offenders would face sanctions.

"I want to remind tourism authority responsible of registering and legalizing these hostels that enough of this is enough, tourism authority should wake up that if you come twice in a month, in a year what is going on is aphoring and we can not understand it.

"We are invoking our jurisdiction and powers under the ability to access rent and that no hostels in this country has the ability to increase rent, if you are planning to increase your rent, it is a stopped, if you go out we will not hesitate to take any legal lead to close down your hostel," he said.