Rent Control petitions AG over UGEL’s alleged illegal hostel fee increases
The Rent Control Department has petitioned the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, to take legal action against the University of Ghana Enterprises Limited (UGEL) over alleged violations of rent laws in its accommodation fee adjustments.
Acting Rent Control Commissioner Frederick Opoku said the petition was filed on Tuesday, November 10, following UGEL’s alleged failure to comply with the Commission’s directive to suspend unassessed increases in hostel fees.
Speaking to Citi News on Wednesday, November 11, he accused UGEL management of disregarding the Commission’s authority. He cited a fresh communication sent to the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG) regarding accommodation charges ahead of students’ return on November 16.
Opoku said the Commission had received information that UGEL’s Chief Executive Officer had informed GRASAG that the company would not comply with Rent Control directives.
He explained that the petition to the Attorney-General outlined the alleged breaches and called for immediate legal action to halt what the Commission considers unlawful practices by UGEL on the University of Ghana campus.
The move follows a November 2 directive issued by the Rent Control Department, ordering UGEL and private hostel operators to suspend unassessed accommodation fee increases, reinstate previous charges and refund any excess payments collected from students.
The operators were given until November 17, 2026, to comply, with the Commission warning that failure to do so could result in legal action. It also cautioned hostel managers against intimidating or victimising students who seek refunds or challenge the increased charges.
The directive was issued after protests by the Concerned Students of the University of Ghana over higher accommodation fees for the 2026/2027 academic year.
The students staged a demonstration to express their dissatisfaction with the revised charges, calling for a review of the fees and greater accountability from UGEL management.
The Rent Control Department insists that accommodation providers must operate within the provisions of the Rent Act, 1963 (Act 220), and follow the legally prescribed procedures before increasing rental charges.
About The Author
