Rent Control places temporary freeze on 2026/2027 hostel fee increments

The Office of the Rent Commissioner and the Rent Control Department have placed a temporary freeze on all planned increases in private hostel accommodation fees for the 2026/2027 academic year across Ghana.

According to a statement issued by the acting Rent Commissioner, Frederick Opoku, the directive follows growing public concern over persistent hikes in hostel fees charged by private operators around tertiary institutions.

Authorities say the increasing charges are placing severe financial pressure on students, parents, and guardians.

The Rent Control Department warned that the continued increase in accommodation costs could negatively affect students’ access to housing and their general welfare while pursuing higher education.

“In view of the above, the Office of the Rent Commissioner together with the Rent Control Department hereby directs all private hostel owners, facility managers, operators and stakeholders within the student accommodation sector to place a temporary hold on all intended or proposed increments in hostel accommodation fees for the 2026/2027 academic year until further notice,” portions of the statement said.

The department further announced plans to engage stakeholders within the student accommodation sector, including hostel owners, student representative bodies and tertiary institution authorities, to deliberate on fair and lawful pricing measures.

The move comes amid growing nationwide debate over rising hostel accommodation costs, especially at major universities, where some students have complained about what they describe as exploitative charges by private hostel operators.