Rent Control Boss, Kporsu Warns Landlords Against Breaking Into Tenants' Abandoned Apartments
- Emmanuel Hovey Kporsu cautioned landlords against breaking into abandoned properties, advising them to follow lawful procedures
- He explained the “abscondant process,” which requires landlords to report cases and issue a 14-day notice before action
- Kporsu warned that landlords who forcefully repossess properties risk liability if tenants later claim missing valuables
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Emmanuel Hovey Kporsu, the Head of Public and Senior Rent Officer at Ghana's Rent Department, has spoken on what the law says concerning the landlord-to-tenant relationship.
Source: Instagram
During an interview with one of Ghana's media outlets, Kporsu stressed the importance of landlords and house owners following legal procedures when tenants abandon rental properties.
He stated that landlords should never act based on personal conviction or action when tenants run away and leave the premises unoccupied for a long time. He went on to outline the strict legal procedure, known as the "abscondant process," that the property owners must follow.
In his words:
"The law provides a clear procedure for landlords to reclaim their premises when tenants abscond without their personal properties."
His statement is said to address a common and frustrating scenario for landlords: a tenant who disappears without notice, leaving behind their properties and months of unpaid rent. According to Kporsu, the landlord should not follow the impulse to break into the apartment.
He claimed that it would be against the law for the landlord to break in, clear out the room, and re-let the property to another tenant.
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The warning addresses a common and frustrating scenario for landlords: a tenant who disappears without notice, leaving behind their possessions and months of unpaid rent. According to Kporsu, the landlord's immediate impulse to break in, clear out the room, and re-let the property is illegal and could prove costly.
"When it comes to that, you, the landlord, have no right to force in, break into the property, and just pack the things out," Kporsu stated emphatically. "When you do that and the tenant comes back and says, 'No, I've lost my gold,' it will be on you to pay," he added.
Instead of resorting to self-help, landlords are mandated to follow a clear, multi-step legal process. He disclosed that the landlord should report the abandonment to either the Rent Control Department or a local magistrate, followed by a 14-day notice on the premises.
Lastly, a court order should be served if the tenant fails to respond within the 14-day period.
"Even after that, we give you the belongings to keep safe for another period," Kporsu further explained.
Watch the video of Emmanuel Kporsu's full explanation below:
Rent Control explains why landlords avoid sanctions
YEN.com.gh had earlier reported that Rent Control explained that landlords avoid sanctions because tenants often fail to provide evidence of illegal advance rent demands.
The department said the lack of required proof, such as written agreements, makes it difficult to prosecute landlords under existing laws.
Ghanaians reacted with frustration, criticising the Rent Control Department’s failure to enforce the laws despite clear regulations.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
