By: Eric Murphy Asare

The head of the Rent Matters Team, Richard Acheampong has explained that the government's decision to launch the National Rent Assistance Scheme is to bridge the unhealthy relationship between landlords and tenants.

Explaining to Omanhene on Sompa Tv, on Wednesday, February 1st, 2023, noted the government intends to support tenants in their quest to rent especially salary earners. He said the scheme has provided a website where tenants can apply and put their financial and personal details so that the government could rent on behalf of the tenant for an installment payment system.

According to him, the government will pay the advance rent for any salary earner who qualifies after applying through www.nras.org.gh to lessen the burden of the renter as a form of loan however, “These loans will be repaid monthly to match the tenure of the rent, and will be supported by a bank guarantee to ensure sustainability”.

He added that rent payment shouldn't be over 30 percent of salary income, adding tenants have the legit right to choose a house of their choice for rent.

He maintained that there has been a mutual relationship with the landlords association of Ghana and even though the rent control act prohibits landlords from taking more than 6 months' advance payment, he thinks 2 years' advance payment by tenants does not circumvent the rent control act.

The scheme is expected to reduce the burden of vulnerable groups having to fork out money as advance rent payment, and will be implemented in partnership with the private sector. Rent advance loans will be paid directly into the bank accounts of landlords’ registered with the Scheme. Government plans on spending GH¢30million to implement the Scheme.

Visit www.nras.org.gh to apply for the National Rental Assistance Scheme