A landlord in Nima, Accra, Ghana has come under intense public scrutiny after a viral video allegedly showed him ordering tenants to vacate his property over their children’s use of high-end iPhones.
The footage, which has been widely circulated on social media, captures a heated exchange between the landlord and a family living in a single-room apartment.
The confrontation reportedly began after the landlord noticed that the tenants’ daughters were using iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro Max devices. He allegedly questioned how the family could afford such smartphones while reportedly owing rent and went on to demand that they leave the premises.
According to accounts accompanying the video, the landlord accused the tenants of prioritising luxury items over their rental obligations. The incident has since triggered a wave of reactions online, with many debating whether ownership of expensive gadgets should justify eviction.
Some social media users sided with the landlord, arguing that failure to pay rent gives property owners grounds to take action. However, a larger number criticised the focus on the children’s phones, describing the move as misplaced and humiliating.
Several commentators pointed out that possession of high-end smartphones does not necessarily reflect a family’s financial standing. They noted that such devices could have been gifts, purchased second-hand, or acquired through instalment payment plans.
Legal observers have also weighed in, stressing that under Ghana’s Rent Act (Act 220), landlords are prohibited from evicting tenants without following due legal process. The law requires proper notice and, where necessary, court authorisation before eviction can be carried out. Acts of intimidation or public embarrassment aimed at forcing tenants out may amount to unlawful eviction.
A housing rights advocate said while landlords are entitled to demand payment of rent, disputes must be handled lawfully and without infringing on tenants’ dignity. The incident continues to generate discussion about tenants’ rights, landlord responsibilities, and the role of social media in amplifying private disputes.
