10-05-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Old Rent.. Between Justice and Humanity
Elham Aboul Fateh
The Old Rent Law, an exceptional law issued during World War II, allowed the state to intervene in the relationship between landlord and tenant. Since its issuance, it has been a matter of debate. It was issued under exceptional circumstances resembling martial law, specifically with the implementation of the Exceptional Rent Law in 1944. It was subsequently amended by Law No. 121 of 1947, and interference in the rental relationship continued to a greater extent after the July 1952 Revolution.
Amendment No. 21 of 1992 further distorted the relationship between landlord and tenant.
Years ago, I Launched a campaign in Al-Akhbar newspaper against old rents. During the campaign, I met with a number of buildings' owners in areas such as Zamalek and Garden City. These were luxury buildings overlooking the Nile, but their revenues were insufficient even for their maintenance. Most of the tenants were retired, and their pensions were only enough to pay the rent, which did not exceed a few pounds.
This skewed reality has always been a subject of debate, especially after the Supreme Constitutional Court's 2002 ruling, which declared certain provisions of non-residential rental laws unconstitutional. This ruling was considered the beginning of a reconsideration of the entire system. The exceptional law issued in 1961 had established lifetime rental relationships and even passed them on to the second and third generations, creating a state of stagnation that lasted for decades.
Well, we need to protect the landlord's rights and grant him the right to benefit from his property, but at the same time, we cannot ignore the reality of the tenant who has lived in this apartment for decades, settled there, and has no alternative.
Law No. 4 of 1996 was issued, opening the door to fixed-term rental contracts with new terms. This meant we now had two laws, which is unconstitutional, as all Egyptians are equal before the law.
The issue is not just legal, but also social and humanitarian, and requires realistic solutions. Many of these property owners have become millionaires on paper, while tenants in very upscale neighborhoods pay symbolic rents that are disproportionate to the reality.
Today, the old rent law is before the Parliament once again to discuss this thorny humanitarian issue.
I hope we can reach a just and humane law, which is a difficult equation.
read more
Analysis- Turkey Has 0 Regional Allies... Why?
Analysis: Russia, Turkey... Libya in Return For Syria?
Analysis: Who Will Gain Trump's Peace Plan Fruits?
Analysis: Will Turkey's Erdogan Resort to Snap Election?
Analysis: What Are Turkey's Aspirations in Iraq?
Opinion & Analysis
Analysis: Mercenaries In Libya... Who Should Be Blamed?
Opinion & Analysis
Analysis- How 'Libya Nightmare' Takes Erdogan to Algiers
Opinion & Analysis
Analysis: What Happens After Brexit?
Opinion & Analysis
Analysis: Strategic Significance of Libya's Sirte, Jufra!
News
Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers
Lifestyle
Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe
News
Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia
News
Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content
Arts & Culture
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized
Sports
Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer
Videos & Features
Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO)
Sports
Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
News
Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies
Arts & Culture
New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple