The State of (in)accommodation

To the demand of Diallo coming from Cote d’Ivoire to study English in Ghana and struggling to find accommodation, I will try to relate my experience about the subject.

From what I have heard, other African non-Ghanaians are daunted by the state of accommodation in Ghana where they find that the majority of landlords are reckless.

Besides quite high costs of renting in Accra – as in any other capital city, also attracting lots of foreigners for various reasons such as studies, business, NGOs –, contracts often tilt in favour of the owner, to the detriment of the tenant.

As Diallo noted, tenants are asked to pay one year in advance – but it may be two or three years –. According to the Ivorian student and others, it is different in their own countries.

Besides being a very lucrative business, the estate sector can also be compared to a playing field with huge inequalities and no rule. If you come across my landlord, you will experience what means vulnerability in securing accommodation. Besides not keeping promises – for instance of carrying out some works –, he is notorious for taking money without giving a room, asking people to leave earlier without notice, etc.

Moreover, tenants bear the consequences of his irresponsibility. As I have written previously, we had water supply cut off for almost one month because he owed to the Water Company. Despaired tenants decided to reimburse his debt to get the flow back. A power cut occurred as well despite the use of electric meters by tenants.

What is the solution of this lawlessness situation? I would dare to say state regulation, implementation, control and justice. It is likely that the landlord bribes officials and/or benefits from the support of someone influential. It is the same problem of non-accountability and corruption in numerous public sectors. That is something else that I heard during my stay in Ghana.

At the grassroots level, my advice is to warn house seekers, tell them about one’s experience and advise about who is correct and who is really not. I can now tell one individual to avoid.

Good luck Diallo in your search for accommodation!