Engineer Sherif El-Sherbiny, Minister of Housing, expressed his gratitude to the House of Representatives for its courage in discussing the Old Rent Law, describing it as a long-standing and complex issue. He emphasized that the interventions and remarks made by the Members of Parliament were highly valuable and appreciated.
This came during the general session of the House of Representatives, chaired by Counselor Dr. Hanafy El-Gebaly, where the report of the joint committee was discussed. The committee comprised the Housing, Public Utilities and Reconstruction Committee and members from the Local Administration and Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committees. The report addressed a draft law submitted by the government concerning specific provisions related to rental laws and the reorganization of the relationship between landlords and tenants. In addition, it reviewed another draft law aiming to amend certain provisions of Law No. 4 of 1996, which applies the provisions of the Civil Code to properties whose lease contracts have expired or will expire, without any party having the legal right to remain.
The spokesperson stated that the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), along with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, will work on compiling data on tenants to assess social cases and provide alternative housing through the Social Housing Program for those who meet the criteria. He stressed that no tenant would be evicted and that rent values and the living conditions of residents would be taken into account.
He further noted that the Social Housing Project is ongoing, with 78,000 housing units previously launched, and plans are in place to introduce an additional 100,000 units in July 2025. These units aim to serve as an alternative to informal settlements, reaffirming the state’s ability to overcome the challenges posed by the Old Rent Law.