Thousands of tenants subject to Egypt’s Old Rent Law are awaiting the final deadline to apply for alternative housing units after the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities, represented by the Social Housing and Mortgage Finance Fund, announced that applications will continue to be accepted until July 12, 2026, through the Egypt Digital Platform. The registration period was extended for three months to give more eligible applicants the opportunity to complete the application process.
Eligibility Conditions for Alternative Housing Units
The Social Housing and Mortgage Finance Fund has outlined a set of key eligibility requirements for applicants. The applicant must be the original tenant of a housing unit subject to the Old Rent Law or a legal beneficiary whose tenancy rights have been extended in accordance with the law.
Applicants must also be actual residents of the rented unit, and the unit must not have remained vacant for more than one year before the application date. In addition, neither the applicant nor their spouse may own another residential unit or property suitable for the same purpose within Egypt. The government will allocate the replacement unit within the same governorate where the original unit is located and for the same residential use.
Each eligible beneficiary is entitled to only one replacement unit, even if multiple beneficiaries are listed under the same lease agreement. The Social Housing Fund reserves the right to reject the application or cancel the allocation at any stage if any submitted information or documents are found to be inaccurate.
Required Documents for Application
Applicants must complete all required information based on official documents. These include the dated or officially notarized old rent contract, the national ID card of the original tenant, as well as the national ID cards of the spouse and any adult children residing in the unit.
Applicants must also submit an inheritance declaration if the lease has been transferred to heirs, along with proof of actual residence in the unit, such as an electricity, water, or gas bill, subscriber code, or prepaid electricity meter information. Persons with disabilities should provide their Integrated Services Card, if applicable, and documents supporting their marital status whenever required.
How Are Eligible Applicants Selected?
The selection process is based on a range of social and economic criteria, with priority given to the most vulnerable groups, followed by low-income applicants, then middle-income and upper-middle-income applicants.
Social status is also considered in the ranking process. Married applicants supporting dependents receive the highest priority, followed by widowed or divorced applicants supporting families, then married applicants without dependents, and finally single applicants. If applicants have equal eligibility, priority is given to the larger family, followed by the older applicant.
Housing Allocation Systems
The Social Housing and Mortgage Finance Fund offers several housing schemes to suit different beneficiary circumstances. These include rental units, rent-to-own units, mortgage financing, and direct ownership through either cash payment or installment plans, depending on the conditions of each housing offering.
Beneficiary Obligations After Allocation
Applicants who are allocated an alternative housing unit must vacate the old rent unit and hand it over immediately upon receiving the new home. They are also required to submit an officially documented vacancy notification issued by the Real Estate Registration Office.
Beneficiaries must certify the accuracy of all submitted information and documents. The Social Housing Fund has the right to cancel the allocation and recover the unit without prior notice or a court ruling if any false information or fraudulent documents are discovered.
Application Link for Alternative Housing Units Under the Old Rent Law
Applications will continue to be accepted until July 12, 2026, through the Egypt Digital Platform. Eligible applicants can submit their applications online, upload the required documents, and track the status of their files until the review process is completed and acceptance or rejection decisions are issued. The platform also provides an electronic appeals service in accordance with the announced regulations.