Don't collect more than six months rent charge-Lawyer

Landlords have been called upon to adhere to the rent law and not to collect more than six months rent charges as stipulated in the law.

They should also charge the appropriate rent fee as required by law to make it easier for the working class to acquire accommodation on hiring basis.

Mr Abraham Ossei Aidoo, a lawyer and Member of Parliament for Tema West made the call at Lashibi, near Tema, at the inauguration of Community 19 Regimanuel Gray Residents Association at the weekend.

The association, which is one year old, aims at fostering unity among the people of the new community and to create a condition where the residents would be each person's keeper.

Mr. Aidoo said the high cost of houses built by estate developers, both government and private, and the charging of rents that cover very long periods have made it impossible for workers to acquire comfortable accommodation, adding that many workers can’t afford to own houses.

He asked the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) to find avenues of making houses affordable and to provide facilities like schools, clinics, entertainment centres in the residential areas.

Mrs Elizabeth Banson, Managing Director of the TDC, explained that inputs for providing social infrastructure that are borne by estate developers add up to the cost of putting up houses.

She said sometime ago, the TDC provided social facilities, but it is the duty of the Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA) to provide such facilities and to ensure their maintenance.

On provision of street light bulbs, Mrs Banson advised the residents to put aside some moneys to maintain facilities since the TMA has not been able to do so expeditiously.

A 12-member executive with Mr. Michel Ahiabor, as chairman was sworn into office by Mr Ossei Aidoo. The association also has three ex-officio members. Mr. Ahiabor appealed to Ghana Telecom to expedite work on linking Community 19 to the rest of the world.