The Office of the Rent Commissioner and the Rent Control Department have directed all private hostel owners and operators across the country to place a temporary hold on any planned increase in hostel accommodation fees for the 2026/2027 academic year.

According to a statement released on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 and signed by the Acting Rent Commissioner and Head of the Rent Control Department, Frederick Opoku, the directive follows growing public concern over the continuous increase in hostel fees around tertiary institutions.

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The statement noted that the frequent hikes in accommodation charges are placing a heavy financial burden on students, parents and guardians.

“These persistent increments have become a matter of urgent public concern due to the economic burden placed on students, parents, and guardians,” it noted.

The Rent Control Department warned that if the situation is not properly managed, it could negatively affect students’ access to accommodation and their general welfare.

“The situation, if not properly regulated and managed, may adversely affect access to accommodation and the general welfare of students pursuing higher education,” the statement said.

As part of measures to address the issue, the department instructed all private hostel facility owners, managers, operators and stakeholders in the student accommodation sector to suspend any intended increase in fees until further notice.

“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 TEMPORAL HOLD on all or any intended or proposed increment in hostel accommodation fees for 2026/2027 academic year until further notice,” it directed.

The statement also announced a stakeholder engagement meeting involving hostel owners, managers, tertiary institution authorities, student representative bodies and other stakeholders.

According to the department, the meeting will discuss challenges within the student accommodation sector and explore fair and lawful measures regarding hostel pricing and standards.

The meeting will also focus on concerns about hostel fee increases, compliance with rent regulations, affordability, transparency and accountability in the sector.

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The Rent Control Department urged all stakeholders to cooperate fully with the directive in the interest of students and national development.

“All stakeholders are strongly encouraged to attend and cooperate fully with the directive in the interest of students, parents, educational institutions and national development,” the statement said.





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