Egypt's House of Representatives is set to discuss new amendments to the building violations law, aimed at resolving the longstanding issues of citizens with unauthorized constructions. The law, which has been in place since 2019, has seen low turnout, with many citizens losing faith in the process. According to Hani Shadata, a member of the Housing Committee, the number of citizens who have applied for reconciliation is still very low.
Shadata highlighted that many citizens have been deterred by the complex procedures and high fees associated with the law. He noted that some citizens have been waiting for years to resolve their cases, with many still facing uncertainty. The proposed amendments aim to simplify the process, reduce fees, and address the issues of citizens who have been waiting for a resolution.
One of the key issues is the high cost of reconciliation, with fees ranging from 200 to 1,350 Egyptian pounds per square meter, depending on the location and type of property. Shadata argued that these fees are too high and need to be revised to make the process more accessible to citizens. He also pointed out that the current law does not provide a clear solution for buildings that have been constructed after the aerial survey conducted in October 2023.
The aerial survey, conducted on October 15, 2023, has created a new set of challenges, with many citizens facing difficulties in regularizing their properties. Shadata suggested that the government should consider imposing higher fees on violations committed after the survey date, while also finding a solution for buildings that are already occupied.
Shadata also raised concerns about the "code 700" issue, which affects buildings that exceed three floors or have an area of over 200 square meters. He explained that citizens who have paid the reconciliation fees are still being asked to pay additional fees related to this code, which is causing further delays and uncertainty.
The proposed amendments aim to address these issues and provide a comprehensive solution to the problem of building violations. The changes include allowing reconciliation for garages in specific cases, permitting reconciliation in archaeological areas with certain conditions, and granting exemptions from certain requirements. The amendments also propose a 50% discount on reconciliation fees for holders of Takaful and Karama cards and irregular workers.
The Housing Committee member emphasized the need to extend the deadline for reconciliation, particularly for cases related to the 2023 aerial survey. He also suggested that the government should consider granting a "license to reconcile" to citizens who have already paid the fees, providing them with a clear legal status and helping to resolve the uncertainty surrounding their properties.
Key points
- Egypt's parliament to discuss new amendments to building violations law
- Proposed amendments aim to simplify process, reduce fees
- Law has seen low turnout, with many citizens losing faith in process
