On August 4, 2025, Egypt’s Official Gazette published Presidential Decree No. 164 of 2025, issued by the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, which regulates lease contracts for properties and redefines the relationship between landlords and tenants — a law widely known as the “Old Rent Law.”
According to the law, residential lease contracts will officially end seven years after the law comes into effect, while non-residential lease contracts will terminate after five years, unless both parties mutually agree to end the contract earlier. The provisions of the law apply to properties rented under Laws No. 49 of 1977 and No. 136 of 1981.
Article One of the law clarifies that its provisions apply to residential properties as well as those leased by natural persons for non-residential purposes. These provisions are implemented in accordance with Law No. 49 of 1977, which governs the rental and sale of properties and regulates the landlord-tenant relationship, in addition to Law No. 136 of 1981, which addresses specific provisions related to this matter.
Article Two stipulates that lease contracts for residential units governed by this law will terminate seven years from the date the law is enforced, while contracts for non-residential units leased by individuals will end after five years, unless the parties agree otherwise.
Article Three states that census committees will be formed by decision of the governor to classify rented residential areas into three categories: premium, middle-income, and economic. This classification will be based on criteria such as geographic location, construction quality, unit size, and availability of utilities and services.
This law marks a significant step in restructuring the relationship between landlords and tenants, finally resolving a long-standing dispute over old lease contracts that have remained unchanged for decades.
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