‘Sex for Rent’ upsurging — Rent Control Department alerts

It has emerged that unscrupulous people suspected to be agents for the Rent Control Department are using social media to dupe innocent Ghanaians looking for accommodation to rent. 

The Department, therefore, has asked the public to be wary of unscrupulous individuals posing themselves as agents on various social media platforms. 

“There have been unpleasant reported ‘sex for rent’ instances increasing during the pandemic as well as property scams.”, Ahafo Regional Boss of the Department, Mr. Ishmael Essian revealed. 

“These are the risks involved in renting property advertised online from an unknown and unregulated source and should act as a warning for those who both advertise and those who are looking to rent through these websites.

“Even more worrying is the fact that while sex for rent is illegal under the current act, landlords engaged in these acts are not reported to authorities. 

“In addition to this, property scams are also a lot more common on unregulated websites, such as Facebook Marketplace.”, he pointed out. 

 Adding: “Many people get cheated out of their money by false advertisements which simply vanish after the first payment, either for a deposit or for rent.

“Tenants are to use more trusted and accredited sources to find rental properties.
It is far easier to seek redress also from the nearest rent office.” the Regional Rent Control Boss advised. 

Source: Kapital Online Team //2023.