By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The Minister for Works and Housing, Mr. Francis Asenso-Boakye has told Parliament that the government will soon introduce the Rental Assistance Scheme (NRAS) to assist workers.
According to him, the introduction of the NRAS will help provide rent advance for workers especially those on the Controller and Accountant General’s Payroll, to pay their rent.
The Works and Housing, Minister who made this known on the floor of Parliament, explained that due to the high deficit in housing, Landlords and Landladies take advantage of the situation by charging more than what the Law permits.
Section Twenty Five (25) of the Rent Act, 1963, Act 220 does not allow landlords to collect more than six months of rent advance, but the issue has turned the opposite way where Landlords are now charging between one and two years, and sometimes even three years or more.
The Works and Housing Minister said the processes are in place for the submitting to Parliament the existing Rent Control Act for review and amendment in order to handle the current issues of renting
The Minister of Works and Housing who doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bantama Constituency in the Ashanti Region disclosed that the Ministry through the Rent Control Department has already been addressing petitions received from tenants and Landlords for settlement including sensitization programs for Landlords.
