Letting a property in Accra is more than putting a sign up and waiting. Done properly, it sets the whole tenancy on a sound footing; done carelessly, it stores up arrears, disputes, and a tenant you cannot easily move on. This guide walks a landlord through the letting lifecycle, honestly.
Step 1 — Price It Realistically
The first job is knowing what your property should actually let for — not what you hope, and not what a neighbour claims. A realistic rental appraisal looks at the property, the area, and current demand across places like East Legon, Cantonments, Airport Residential, Spintex, and Tema. Over-pricing leaves a property empty; under-pricing leaves money on the table. Ask for an honest appraisal before you advertise.
Step 2 — Find and Vet a Tenant
Finding a tenant is the easy half; vetting is the half that protects you. Proper vetting checks who the tenant is and whether they can sustain the rent, before you hand over keys. The cost of skipping this shows up later as arrears and difficult exits.
This placement work is letting — a distinct service with a distinct fee.
Step 3 — Put It in Writing, Compliant with the Law
A compliant tenancy agreement under the Rent Act 1963 (Act 220) sets out the rent, the term, responsibilities, and how the tenancy ends. It should be honest about advance rent too: the law caps advance at six months, even though the market often asks for more — your manager should tell you where the law and common practice differ rather than quietly doing whatever is easiest.
Step 4 — Handle the Deposit and Move-In
The deposit is taken, recorded, and the condition of the property documented at move-in, so there is no argument later about what was damaged and what was already worn. A clear inventory at the start saves a dispute at the end.
Letting vs Management — Don’t Conflate the Fees
This is where many landlords lose track of money.
- Letting — finding and placing a tenant — is a one-off fee of around one month’s rent. It ends once the tenant is in.
- Management — collecting rent, handling the tenant, maintaining the property month after month — is an ongoing percentage, indicatively 8–12% of rent collected.
- A sale is a different commission again, typically 3–5%.
These are three different fees and should never be quoted as one. See Property Management Fees in Ghana for the breakdown.
Letting Inside a Management Mandate
Many landlords let and then realise they do not want the monthly job of collecting rent and fielding tenant calls — especially from abroad. Letting can sit inside a full management mandate, so the tenant who is placed is then managed: see Property Management in Accra, Rent Collection Service, and Tenant Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it cost to let a property in Accra?
Letting — finding and placing a tenant — is typically a one-off fee of around one month’s rent. That is separate from ongoing management, which is an indicative 8–12% of rent collected.
How much advance rent can I ask for?
The Rent Act 1963 (Act 220) caps advance at six months for tenancies over six months. The market often asks for more, but an honest manager will explain where the law and practice differ before you set terms.
Should I let it myself or use a manager?
You can let it yourself, but vetting, a compliant tenancy, and the deposit done properly are what prevent expensive problems later. Many landlords let through a manager and then keep them on for ongoing management.
Can the tenant you place also be managed?
Yes — letting can sit inside a full management mandate, so the tenant is placed and then managed: rent collected, issues handled, property maintained, reported to you.
Request a free rental appraisal or a management proposal: +233 23 063 0004.