How to File a Complaint at the Rent Control Department (Step by Step)

The Rent Control Department exists for exactly the moments renting goes wrong: excessive advance demands, disputed increases, threatened lockouts, withheld repairs. Most Ghanaians know it exists; far fewer know how to use it. This is the process, step by step.

What the Department can — and cannot — do

The Department receives complaints between landlords and tenants, invites the parties, and works toward settlement under the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220) and L.I. 369. What it is not: a court. Where a matter exceeds what the office can resolve, it is referred to the Magistrate Court through the prescribed process. Knowing this calibrates your expectations from day one.

Before you go: assemble your evidence

Arrive with a file, not a story:

The tenancy agreement, if one exists (and if it doesn’t, that is itself part of the story);
Receipts for rent and advance payments;
Correspondence — letters, text messages, WhatsApp exchanges about the dispute;
Photographs, where the complaint concerns the condition of the premises;
A short written chronology of events with dates.

The process, step by step

Locate your office. Use the nationwide Rent Control office directory — 65 offices across the ten regions of original coverage, with contact numbers and GPS codes.
Lodge the complaint. Attend in person and state the complaint; the office records it and opens the matter.
The other party is invited. The office formally invites the respondent to appear.
Settlement is attempted. Both parties are heard. Many matters end here, with terms both sides can live with.
Referral, where necessary. Matters beyond the office’s resolution are referred to the Magistrate Court under the prescribed procedure.

Timelines and realistic expectations

Resolution speed depends on the respondent’s cooperation and the office’s caseload. What you control is the quality of your file: well-documented complaints move faster at every stage.

Frequently asked questions

Does it cost money to complain? The complaint process at the Department is accessible to ordinary tenants and landlords; confirm any prescribed fees at your local office.

Can I complain about excessive advance rent? Yes — see our guide to advance rent under Act 220.

Must I attend in person? Plan to. The process is built around the parties appearing and being heard.

This article describes the public process generally and does not relate to any particular office or officer. If your situation needs structured preparation before you lodge a complaint, PRC’s dispute guidance consultation can help you organize your file.