Housing Finance Policy

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A. Legal and Regulatory Framework

A.1 Legal and Regulatory Framework
VariableEnd of 2017End of 2016End of 2015SourcesVar ID
Basis of the legal system: Civil, Common, Islamic, Other? (Describe)Common lawCommon lawCommon law
High Commission of Ghana
A.1.1
Are there specific laws that deal with mortgages? YesYesYes
Ghana Legal
A.1.2
Registration/Transfer of titles:A.1.3
Does the law clearly define different types of property rights?Yes  
Research
A.1.3.1
Typical number of days needed for the transfer of title47 47
WDI
A.1.3.4
Is there specialized legislation covering:A.1.9
B. Housing Finance Subsidies
B.1 Subsidies to Housing Finance Institutions
B.2 Subsidies to Households
VariableEnd of 2017End of 2016End of 2015SourcesVar ID
Are there subsidies to households on housing finance?Yes  
CAHF
B.2.1
Interest rate subsidies by special government fundsYes  
CAHF
B.2.1.1
Reach of subsidies in 2.1.1 to 2.1.4 ?B.2.2
C. Taxation
VariableEnd of 2017End of 2016End of 2015SourcesVar ID
What taxes apply to Residential Real Estate?C.1
Tax on property (home-owners) Yes  
Global Property Guide
C.1.1
Property transaction taxes (purchase/selling)Yes  
Global Property Guide
C.1.2
Tax on capital gains on property Yes  
Global Property Guide
C.1.5
OtherYes  
Global Property Guide
C.1.6
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Notes: 2000 estimate
Notes: 2000 estimate
Notes: "Rate offered by commercial banks on three-month time deposits."
Notes: "Rate offered by commercial banks on three-month time deposits."
Notes: "Rate offered by commercial banks on three-month time deposits."
Notes: "Rate offered by commercial banks on three-month time deposits."
Notes: 2000 estimate
Notes: 2000 estimate
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: 2010 = 100
Notes: Capital gains are taxed at a rate of 15%. The taxable amount is calculated as the sale price minus acquisition cost and other costs (such as renovation and legal).
Notes: Credit Referencing Bureaus include XDS Data, Hudson Price, and Dun & Bradstreet
Notes: Credit Referencing Bureaus include XDS Data, Hudson Price, and Dun & Bradstreet
Notes: First mortgage backed security was approved by SEC in 2013.
Notes: Funding from corporate bonds.
Notes: Funding from corporate bonds.
Notes: Funding from corporate bonds.
Notes: Ghana Home Loans controls ~50% of the market
Notes: IFS note: "Rate at which the Bank of Ghana makes advances against treasury bills. A rate of one percent higher is used in discounts of direct credit to business. There are no quantitative limits on credit to banks at the discount rate. The volume of these operations is relatively small. " End of Period
Notes: IFS note: "Rate at which the Bank of Ghana makes advances against treasury bills. A rate of one percent higher is used in discounts of direct credit to business. There are no quantitative limits on credit to banks at the discount rate. The volume of these operations is relatively small. " End of Period
Notes: IFS note: "Rate at which the Bank of Ghana makes advances against treasury bills. A rate of one percent higher is used in discounts of direct credit to business. There are no quantitative limits on credit to banks at the discount rate. The volume of these operations is relatively small. " End of Period
Notes: IFS note: "Rate at which the Bank of Ghana makes advances against treasury bills. A rate of one percent higher is used in discounts of direct credit to business. There are no quantitative limits on credit to banks at the discount rate. The volume of these operations is relatively small. " End of Period
Notes: In 2016 the government began a project to produce 5,000 units, 40% of which are to be sold at subsidized rates for low- and middle-income earners. As of 2017, 1,500 units were completed
Notes: In terms of % of number of lenders, not market share
Notes: In terms of % of number of lenders, not market share
Notes: In terms of % of number of lenders, not market share
Notes: In terms of % of number of lenders, not market share
Notes: In terms of % of number of lenders, not market share. GHL is a non-bank financial institution and mainly sources capital from development finance institutions, such as DEG, a German project financier. In July 2016, a provisional banking license was issued to the mortgage lender.
Notes: In terms of % of number of lenders, not market share. GHL obtained its banking license in 2017.
Notes: Property tax is levied at a rate of 0.5 to 3%
Notes: Rental income is taxed at a rate of 8% for residential properties.
Notes: Republic Bank and GHL Bank have previously relied on multilateral agencies (World Bank, IFC) to raise funds
Notes: There is a stamp duty fee of 0.25 to 1% that is paid by the buyer. This is a progressive rate that depends on the value of the property.
Notes: These are rent-free houses.
Notes: Treasury Bills discounted.