The joint committee in the House of Representatives will begin discussions next week on the proposed amendments to the Old Rent Law. Five hearing sessions will be held, with the participation of all concerned parties.
Article (1) of the draft law stipulates that its provisions will apply to residential rental properties as well as properties rented for non-residential purposes, in accordance with Laws No. 49 of 1977 and No. 136 of 1981.
Article (2) sets the new legal rental value for residential properties at twenty times the current rent, provided it is not less than 1,000 EGP in cities and 500 EGP in villages.
Article (3) relates to specific dates that were not mentioned in the text.
Article (5) provides that lease contracts for rented properties will expire five years from the date the law comes into effect, unless the parties agree to terminate them earlier.
Article (6) obligates the tenant to vacate the rented premises at the end of the specified term and return it to the owner, unless otherwise agreed. In case of refusal to vacate, the landlord may request an eviction order from the summary affairs judge, while still retaining the right to compensation. The tenant also has the right to file a substantive lawsuit in the competent court without affecting the eviction procedures.
Article (7) grants tenants whose leases expire priority in receiving residential or non-residential units from the state, according to rules set by the Prime Minister upon the recommendation of the Minister of Housing, giving special consideration to the most vulnerable groups. The Minister of Housing will also issue a decision to establish an electronic portal to manage this system and its procedures, with applications to be received from tenants within three months of the portal’s launch.
Article (8) stipulates the repeal of Laws No. 49 of 1977, No. 136 of 1981, and No. 6 of 1997 regarding property rentals and the regulation of the relationship between landlords and tenants. It also repeals any provisions that contradict this law, effective five years from the date the law comes into force.
Article (9) states that the law will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into effect the day after its publication.