Egyptian property owners win right to evict government tenants
State institutions have been renting private properties for extremely low costs since the 1970s, but a recent ruling by the Egyptian Supreme Constitutional Court is set to end the practice.
CAIRO — A recent judicial ruling in Egypt will allow property owners to evict government entities and companies leasing space under decades-old rental contracts, as the country works to address antiquated rent laws.
On May 5, the Egyptian Supreme Constitutional Court nullified a provision in a 1981 law concerning the relationship between landlords and their tenants.
The abolished provision stated, “The landlord may not demand the tenant vacate the leased premises even after the expiry of the term of the lease agreement.” The new ruling allows landlords to end old lease agreements that have persisted long past their initial contract periods.
The May 5 ruling made waves in Egypt's political and legal circles. A government source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that the ruling could lead to a crisis between the government and the owners of thousands of premises leased to government institutions, civil registry offices and trade union headquarters across Egypt.
