PRC Property and Rent Consult
Agreements

The Hidden Risks in DIY Lease Agreements

Published 13 June 2026 · Last reviewed 13 June 2026

This article is general information about Ghanaian rent and tenancy law, not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, book a consultation.

The Template Trap

You found a lease agreement online or from a colleague. It looks complete—pages long, professional format. You customize the tenant name and rent amount and use it.

Months later, you have a dispute with your tenant. You go to Rent Control confidently, thinking your lease protects you.

The magistrate reads it and says: “This clause is unenforceable under Act 220. This provision is missing. This language is too vague.”

Suddenly, your “complete” lease isn’t protecting you at all.

Common Lease Problems We See

Missing mandatory clauses:

  • No clear termination provisions
  • Unclear rent payment date or method
  • No dispute resolution reference
  • Missing tenant rights language

Illegal or unenforceable language:

  • Penalty clauses that violate Act 220
  • Automatic forfeiture provisions
  • Clauses forcing tenants to pay for landlord’s repairs
  • Language that contradicts the Rent Act

Vague or incomplete terms:

  • Unclear descriptions of the property
  • Ambiguous maintenance responsibilities
  • No procedure for handling disputes
  • Renewal terms that don’t meet Act 220 standards

Missing evidence:

  • No clear dates for lease term
  • Unsigned copies you can’t prove the tenant accepted
  • No inventory if the property is furnished
  • Missing condition documentation

Why This Costs You Money

When a dispute arises and your lease is weak:

  1. The magistrate rules against you — Even if you’re right, weak documentation means weak position
  2. You can’t enforce your position — Vague language means the tenant’s interpretation wins
  3. You lose months in dispute — Bad lease = longer Rent Control process
  4. You can’t increase rent properly — Without clear renewal terms, you lose the right to increase
  5. You lose on termination — Without proper termination clauses, eviction becomes harder

A weak lease isn’t just unhelpful—it’s actively harmful.

The Real Cost

A poorly drafted lease costs you:

  • Lost disputes you should have won
  • Months of stress and time
  • Rent you can’t legally collect
  • Inability to evict a problem tenant
  • Vulnerability to tenant counter-claims

The Solution: Professional Review

Before you use a lease—whether it’s a template you found or something you drafted—get it reviewed by someone who knows Act 220.

A professional review identifies:

  • Missing mandatory provisions
  • Unenforceable or risky language
  • Gaps that will hurt you in a dispute
  • How to strengthen your position
  • What to change before using with a tenant

For GHS 150 per agreement, you avoid disputes that could cost thousands.

When You Need This

  • You have a template lease and want to check it’s compliant
  • You’ve drafted your own agreement
  • You’ve already had a dispute over lease terms
  • You’re using an old lease from years ago
  • You want consistency across multiple tenant agreements

The cost of not doing it: Lost disputes, weak legal position, months of stress.

The cost of doing it: GHS 150 per agreement.

Don’t let a weak lease cost you a strong case. Get your lease reviewed →