Agent commission (agent fee)

Renting. Under the Rent Act, it is an offence for an agent to demand or receive more than a capped commission, measured against a year's lawful rent, from anyone. The Act does not say who pays; Rent Control officials say the landlord should. The cap is in the figures. Rent Control officials have also said an agent should not take a fresh commission each year the tenant stays.

The market works differently. Agents commonly charge the tenant a share of the entire advance, so a multi-year advance produces a large fee. Some also charge the landlord, and many ask for viewing or registration fees before showing any property. Rent Control has described charging both sides as unlawful.

Buying and selling. There is no fixed legal rate for sales. The Real Estate Agency Act allows the Real Estate Agency Council to set fees, but no scale had been published by October 2026, so the fee is agreed between the parties.

Licensing and payment. Under the Real Estate Agency Act, anyone acting as an agent must be licensed by the Council, and payments must not be made in cash.

Why the gap persists. Tight supply of rental homes, large advances and weak enforcement mean many tenants accept agents' terms to secure a home. Rent Control has said charging tenants in this way breaks the law, and the Real Estate Agency Council's licensing regime is meant to bring agents under supervision.

Sales. For property sales the fee is negotiated. Agree it in writing before the agent starts, state who pays it, and say whether it is due on signing, on payment or on completion.

Viewing fees. Fees charged just to view a property are not part of the commission rules. Ask what any fee covers and whether it is refundable, and get a receipt.

Protecting yourself. Deal only with licensed agents, pay by traceable means, and keep receipts. If an agent overcharges on a rental, you can complain to Rent Control; if the agent is unlicensed or demands cash, you can report it to the Real Estate Agency Council.

The cap is national. Reports of tenant-paid commission and viewing fees are most common in Greater Accra.

The same national rules apply everywhere, but enforcement is concentrated where Rent Control and the Council have the most staff, mainly Greater Accra and Kumasi.