Experiences of tenants in rented accommodation- the case of rent paying residents in the Bekwai Municipality of the Ashanti Region, Ghana

Abstract

The study investigated the experiences of rent paying tenants, in the Bekwai Municipality of the Ashanti Region. The researcher adopted mixed method approach for this study. The instruments for data collection were a questionnaire and an interview guide. The population for the study consisted of tenants, houseowners and officials of the Rent Control department in the Municipality. A total of 400 tenants were selected for the study, using cluster sampling while one rent control official and 9 houseowners were purposively selected to participate in the study. The data from the questionnaire was analysed using Statistiscal Product and Service Solution tools such as descriptive statistics(frequencies and cross tabulations), mean, standard deviation and Relative Importance Index (RII), while the data from the interviews were analysed using the thematic approach. The study found single room as the major accommodation type used by tenants, followed by chamber and hall, two room apartment and full house rent for various reasons including proximity to the work place and access to toilet facilities. Also, 275(68.8%) of the tenants did not know about the rent law. The study recommends that, more single rooms should be provided by houseowners to meet the needs of the tenants. For effective implementation of the Rent Law, rent officials should pay working visits to various houses occupied by tenants to acquaint themselves of the conditions there. Moreover, the Rent Control officials should team up with the Bekwai Municipal Assembly to sensitise the public on the Rent Law. Also, the Municipal Assembly in conjunction with the Rent Control Department should print the Rent Law and distribute them to houseowners and tenants. Moreover, the two bodies should also enforce the Rent Law to help reduce the problems that tenants and landlords face in the Municipality. University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh