Archive · 3 Sep 2025
Egypt Scraps Rent Caps, Raising Eviction Fears for Millions
Imagine you've been paying very little rent for a long time, like a few cents.
Now, the government is changing the rules.
They're getting rid of old laws that kept rent low for people in older apartments.
This means many people could see their rent go up, and they're worried about having to move out.
The government says it will help tenants find new homes, but there aren't many houses available and it could get expensive.
Some people are worried about what will happen to their shops and neighborhoods.
This has people concerned about their homes, jobs, and how the city will change.
Egypt is overhauling its decades-old rent control system.
The law impacts millions of households with old rent contracts.
Landlords have complained about low rental income.
The government promises housing aid for affected tenants.
Concerns exist about potential housing shortages and gentrification.
- Who
- Millions of Egyptian tenants and landlords are affected.
- What
- Egypt has abolished decades-old rent control laws.
- When
- The changes take effect over five and seven years for non-residential and residential units respectively.
- Where
- Cairo, Egypt.
- Why
- The government aims to resolve issues related to the old rent laws and was ordered to do so by a court.
Tenant Concerns
Landlord Concerns
Rent Increases
Tenant Concerns
Tenants are worried about substantial rent hikes they cannot afford, and the potential of displacement.
Landlord Concerns
Landlords feel rent caps have prevented them from earning a fair income and investing in property upkeep.
Availability of Housing
Tenant Concerns
The availability of new homes is a concern given the potential need to relocate.
Landlord Concerns
Landlords feel that the rent control has caused lack of maintenance and incentive to keep their units in good condition.
- Rent Caps Impacted
- Millions of households
- Law's Effective Date
- Non-residential units: 5 years; Homes: 7 years
- Old Rent Contract Date
- Before Jan. 31, 1996
- Minimum Wage
- 7,000 Egyptian pounds per month
- State Housing Units/Year
- Approx. 69,000
- Families Needing Support
- Nearly 530,000