The committees, which classify rental housing zones nationwide, play a central role in implementing the new law regulating the relationship between landlords and tenants, described as one of Egypt’s most sweeping housing reforms in decades.
End of the 'old rent' era
Approved by parliament on 2 July and ratified by the president on 4 August, the law dismantles the country’s decades-old “old rent” system, which froze rents and prevented landlords from reclaiming properties, a policy long seen as both a social safeguard and a market distortion.
Under the new framework, old rental contracts will be phased out after seven years for residential units and five years for non-residential ones. Rents will sharply increase based on area classifications developed by the survey committees.
Mapping Egypt's rental zones
Operating under the supervision of provincial governors, the committees commenced work on 4 September. They are dividing neighbourhoods into three categories, premium, middle-income, and economic, using criteria such as location, building condition, utilities, and access to public services.
Once the process is complete in February, their findings will be approved by governors and published in the Official Gazette.
The law sets rent adjustments at up to 20 times current levels in premium zones (with a minimum of EGP 1,000 per month), 10 times in middle-income areas (minimum EGP 400), and 10 times in economic areas (minimum EGP 250).
Non-residential units will see a fivefold rent increase, followed by 15 percent annual rises during the transition period.
Government pledges protections
After the transition period ends, tenants must vacate their units unless new agreements are made.
The government has pledged to provide alternative housing for affected residents, prioritising original tenants and their families.
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has vowed that the state “will not allow those who deserve housing to live in fear about their future,” emphasising that the reform aims to ensure fairness while preventing displacement.
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