The decree provides for the inclusion of a new article numbered 23 bis, which states the following:
“In cases where the number of candidates applying for membership on the Board of Directors does not match the required number, as long as the number is not less than five members in accordance with the association’s internal regulations, their nominations shall be approved to oversee the association’s affairs, provided that the vacant board positions are filled at the nearest general assembly meeting in a manner consistent with the law.”
Details of the Decree
The Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities issued Decree No. 483 of 2026 after reviewing the Housing Cooperation Law promulgated under Law No. 14 of 1981; the Civil Service Law issued under Law No. 81 of 2016 along with its executive regulations; and Presidential Decrees No. 258 of 2024 and No. 75 of 2026 related to cabinet formation.
The decree also referred to the Minister of Reconstruction, Housing, and Land Reclamation Decree No. 193 of 1981 concerning the rules governing the preparation of internal regulations for housing and building cooperative associations, in addition to its amendments.
The decree further relied on a proposal submitted by the General Authority for Building and Housing Cooperatives and the Central Housing Cooperative Union, which was presented before Coordination Committee No. 13 of 2026 during its meeting on March 5, 2026, following what the ministry considered necessary to support workflow efficiency.
Article One
A new article numbered 23 bis shall be added to Ministerial Decree No. 193 of 1981 with the following wording:
“In cases where the number of candidates applying for membership on the Board of Directors does not match the required number, as long as the number is not less than five members in accordance with the association’s internal regulations, their nominations shall be approved to oversee the association’s affairs, provided that the vacant board positions are filled at the nearest general assembly meeting in a manner consistent with the law.”
Article Two
An additional paragraph shall be inserted into Article 26 of Ministerial Decree No. 193 of 1981 under number 15 bis, stating:
“It is required that individuals appointed within the association, as referred to in paragraphs (13, 14, and 15) above, must not be among those whose membership on the association’s Board of Directors has previously been revoked or against whom a conviction ruling has been issued by the Authority or the Union, unless five years have elapsed since the revocation or dissolution.
This also applies to anyone convicted of crimes involving honor, integrity, or public trust, or any felony offense, unless their legal rehabilitation has been restored. These conditions shall apply to any person practicing any activity or undertaking any work within the association.”
Article Three
This decree shall be published in the Egyptian Gazette and will come into force starting from the day following its publication date.
The decree was issued on March 24, 2026, by Randa El-Menshawy.