Business and Investment Disputes
Disagreements between partners, shareholders, investors, suppliers and customers, handled in a way that protects commercial confidentiality and working relationships.
Learn moreDispute area
Debt and Rent Disputes
Unpaid debts, repayment arrangements and disagreements between landlords and tenants, with a focus on practical, affordable agreements both sides can keep.
Overview
Disputes about money are among the most common disagreements between individuals and small businesses. An unpaid loan between friends, rent arrears or a disagreement about a deposit can damage relationships and cause real hardship on both sides.
ADR helps the parties look at what is owed, what can realistically be paid and when, and agree terms they can both keep. A repayment plan that works is often worth more than a decision that cannot be enforced.
Landlord and tenant disputes in Ghana are also subject to rent legislation and the Rent Control Department. ADR can support agreement between landlords and tenants, but it does not replace statutory protections or the procedures that apply to them.
How ADR may help
- The parties can agree realistic repayment terms that reflect their actual circumstances.
- Relationships between landlords and tenants, or between family and friends, can be preserved.
- Private sessions avoid public disputes about personal finances.
- Practical issues, such as timetables for repairs or moving out, can be addressed directly.
Limits to be aware of
- Statutory rent rules and the procedures of the Rent Control Department continue to apply.
- An eviction must follow the procedure required by law. ADR cannot authorise an unlawful eviction.
- An agreement does not bind anyone who is not a party to it, such as other creditors.
- A borrower in serious financial difficulty may need broader financial or legal advice.
Resolution methods
Which process might fit
Negotiation
Often all that is needed when both sides accept a debt exists and need help agreeing terms.
Mediation
Helpful where the amount, the terms or the history are disputed, or where emotions are running high.
Arbitration
May be used where the parties agree to a binding decision on the amount owed, subject to the law.
Unsure of the difference? Read Mediation vs Arbitration.
How to prepare
Good preparation makes any process more productive. You do not need everything before getting in touch.
- Gather loan or tenancy agreements, receipts, bank and mobile money records, and messages.
- Work out what you believe is owed and how you arrived at that figure.
- If you owe money, prepare an honest picture of what you can afford to pay, and when.
- If you are a landlord or tenant, find your tenancy agreement and note any rent advance paid.
What to expect
How the process may work
This is a typical outline. The actual process depends on the dispute, the people involved and any agreement or law that applies.
Step 1: Initial enquiry
We discuss the debt or tenancy issue and explain the options.
Step 2: Inviting the other party
With your agreement, we contact the other party to see whether they will take part.
Step 3: Agreeing the process
The parties agree to the process and to confidentiality terms.
Step 4: Sessions
The neutral helps the parties clarify the figures and explore realistic terms.
Step 5: Written agreement
Agreed terms, such as a repayment schedule, are written down for the parties to sign.
Important legal information
Landlord and tenant relationships are governed by rent legislation, and some disputes must be dealt with by the Rent Control Department or the courts. Debt recovery may also involve legal procedures and time limits. Please take independent advice where your rights are uncertain.
Questions
Questions about debt & rent disputes
Can a repayment plan agreed in mediation be enforced?
A signed settlement agreement creates obligations between the parties, and whether it can be enforced depends on its terms and the law. If the agreement is not honoured, legal advice may be needed about next steps.
Can mediation be used to evict a tenant?
Mediation can help a landlord and tenant agree a timetable for a tenancy to end. It cannot authorise an eviction that does not follow the procedure required by law.
Does the Centre collect debts?
No. The Centre is not a debt collection agency. It provides a neutral process to help the parties reach their own agreement.
Related services
Other areas we can help with
Land and Property Disputes
Boundary, ownership, family land and development disputes, approached carefully because land rights in Ghana often raise legal and customary questions that need proper verification.
Learn moreFamily and Marital Disputes
Separation arrangements, arrangements for children, family property and inheritance disagreements, handled with discretion and close attention to safety and children's wellbeing.
Learn more
Next step
Talk to us about a debt & rent dispute
Tell us what is happening in your own words. We will explain the options available and whether ADR is likely to help. Sending an enquiry does not commit you to anything.