What to Check Before Renting a House or Apartment in Ghana 

Renting a House or Apartment in various places around the world is normal, but it requires more than looking at how attractive a property is. A property can look perfect on a short viewing and still have problems with water, electricity, drainage, maintenance, or access.

Be sure to inspect the property and understand the costs and read the terms of the tenancy carefully before you pay rent. Ghana’s Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220) outlines the legal basis for many landlord-tenant issues, including some directions on rent payments and tenancy arrangements. 

Also, having proper knowledge of relevant clauses of the Rent Agreement and area-specific laws will help you to consider better property rather future court cases. This is necessary for purchasing also. Before you buy, check deeply, as you are going to spend hard-earned money on it. A proper analysis helps in proper rental living.

12 Important Checklists Before You Move In to Rent in Any Property

Here are the most important things to check out before you rent a house or flat in Ghana. Understanding these short lookups can make your stay peaceful for years. Let’s check them in detail.

1. Ask and Understand the Full Cost of Renting

Don’t just look at the advertized rental price. Ask the landlord or agent about all the money you might have to pay. Clarify these parameters before moving.

• Rent: Payment duration and amount
• Electricity: Meter, personal or shared
• Water: Terms of supply and payment
• Waste pickup: Included or separate?
• Upkeep: Who pays for the repairs?
• Safety: Is there an additional charge?
• Parking Lot: Included or not?
• Agent fees: What are you being charged for exactly?

Get important financial terms in writing. Keep a record of all payments, including receipts and electronic payment records. The Rent Act also states that written receipts of rent are to be issued showing details of the premises, amount paid, and period covered.

2. Inspect the Property Thoroughly

Don’t pay much for just photos or a fast look. While you are inspecting, check:

• Water or moisture damage to walls and ceilings
• Doors, windows, locks
• Electrical sockets and switches
• Kitchen and bathroom appliances
• Water flow and taps
• Floors & ceilings
• Building drainage surrounding
• Parking space and compound
• Overall condition of common areas

If you can, try to visit the property more than once. A daytime visit might not give you the same picture as an evening visit, especially in terms of noise, traffic and access.

3. Check water supply

Your first question should be about water arrangements. Ask where the property gets its water and if there is a storage tank. If the building is occupied by more than one occupant, see how water is divided and if there are shared costs. Don’t just ask if the kitchen and bathroom have running water. Turn on the taps when you inspect.

The population and housing census of Ghana has official figures of household use of various sources of water for domestic use, the conditions varying from location to location. So don’t expect a property to have similar water arrangements as another house nearby.

4. Inspect the Electrical Arrangement

Ask if the property has its own electricity meter or shares electricity with other occupants.

And here’s something else you should know:

• Electricity meter holder name
• Division of shared costs
• Common Area Electricity charges are included or not
• Who is responsible for electrical repairs?

When you inspect, try out any sockets you can access and switch on the lights. Ask, “Will it be fixed before I move in?” if something isn’t working.

5. Check for Drainage and Potential Flooding

The condition of the surrounding environment is equally as important as the building itself.

Search for:

• Drain open or clogged
• Standing water
• Signs of previous water damage
• Condition of the access road
• How rainwater leaves the compound

If you don’t know, ask the people who live there already. They might be able to tell you if there’s been drainage or flooding problems in the area. This is particularly useful as a short viewing of a property doesn’t always give you an idea of the area’s condition in heavy rain.

6. Is the Location convenient for your everyday life?

A property can be cheap but not convenient if it is far from the places you need to go. Consider the distance of the below places before you decide:

• School or work
• Public transport
• Major roads
• Markets and shops
• Healthcare organisations
• Banks and other vital services

If you rely on public transport, travel from the area rather than just using a map. Your daily commute might be very different than what the distance indicates.

7. Enquiry about Security

Don’t judge the security of a property by the building alone. Ask about access to the compound and verify that doors and windows have working locks. If you are renting in a shared building, ask these crucial questions:

• Who can enter shared areas?
• Are there any shared entrances?
• How to access the property for visitors?
• Does the compound have lighting and CCTV?
• Who is responsible for the maintenance of the facilities related to security?

Speaking to existing tenants about how the property works in practice is also a great way to learn a lot.

8. Know Who Pays for Repairs

Define maintenance responsibilities before moving in. Ask who will deal with problems with plumbing, electrical fittings, taps, doors, windows and common areas. Don’t assume that it’s always the landlord’s responsibility to make repairs or that the tenant has to pay for every small repair.

It is safest to read the tenancy agreement thoroughly and get any unclear responsibilities explained to you before you sign. Try to keep audio proof also if further needed during any argument.

9. Read the Tenancy Agreement Properly

Never sign an agreement without reading the whole agreement. Make sure it clearly states:

• Landlord and tenant names
• Rental property
• Amount of rent
• Tenure period
• Mode of collecting payments
• Maintenance duties
• Conditions of termination of the tenancy
• Rules regarding the property
• Any further charges

The Rent Act of Ghana contains provisions relating to tenancy arrangements, including restrictions relating to subletting in certain circumstances. If you don’t understand a clause, ask questions before you sign, not after you disagree.

10. Watch Out Who You Pay

Make sure you know who you’re dealing with before you make a big payment. If an agent is acting for the owner, ask for the landlord or property owner’s contact details and keep copies of important documents and correspondence. For more complicated land ownership or documentation issues, the Ghana Lands Commission offers official services including property searches and land information services.

You don’t have to assume that every rental requires a land search. But if something about who owns the place or who has the authority to rent it feels off, dig into it instead of dismissing the red flags. For a reliable resource, you can check out Meqasa. It is Ghana’s one of the top website for real estate listings.

11. Photograph Before You Move In

Take photos of the property’s condition before you move your things in. Photos of: 

• Walls & ceilings
• Floors
• Doors, windows
• Bathroom fixtures
• Kitchen equipment
• Appliances to be included with property
• Existing damage

Store the photographs with your tenancy papers. A simple record of the condition of the property at the start of the tenancy can help avoid arguments over damage in future.

12. Know the Rules of Rent Advance

One of the major financial problems faced by tenants is rent advance. Under section 25(5) of Ghana’s Rent Act, it is an offence to require a tenant to pay more than six months’ rent in advance where the tenancy is for more than six months, and a different limit applies where the tenancy is for a month or less.

If you have a dispute or a particularly large request for an advance payment, you should check the current legal position with the Rent Control authorities in Ghana. For individual tenancies, this can vary.

The National Rental Assistance Scheme (NRAS) also offers a rent advance program for eligible renters. Its official information says that approved applicants can have the rent advance paid directly to the landlord and pay it back through monthly payments.

After considering all these tips, you can surely find a perfect house for your family. But before moving on, here is a quick checklist you should always follow.

The Things You Must Do Before Paying

Make sure you can answer yes to these questions before you turn over a large sum of money:

Check	Done?
Have I looked at the property itself?	☐
Do I know the full rental price?	☐
Does the water supply get checked?	☐
Did I check electricity and the meter?	☐
Did I check the drainage and the area around it?	☐
Is the location convenient for my daily drive?	☐
Am I getting the security arrangements?	☐
Who pays for repairs? Is it clear?	☐
Did I read the tenancy agreement?	☐
Do I know who I’m paying?	☐
Have I seen any existing damage?	☐
Do I have records of all payments?	☐

Summary

You should not base the decision to rent a house or flat in Ghana on attractive rooms or a reasonable price. Have a look at the property, neighbourhood, water supply, electricity, drainage, security, maintenance responsibilities and tenancy agreement before you commit. Ask questions that might not seem important right away, yet they can affect your day-to-day experience.

And most importantly, keep good records. Keep your tenancy agreement, receipts, electronic proof of payment, messages and photos of the property. Taking a little extra time before you pay can save you many bigger problems once you move in.

Please do not rely on informal advice alone. For any specific dispute or legal issue, consult the relevant Ghanaian authority or a qualified professional. 

Useful Official Resources

• Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220): Ghana’s principal legislation governing rent-related matters.
• Ghana Lands Commission: Provides official land administration and search services.
• National Rental Assistance Scheme: Information about rent-advance assistance and eligibility.