Egyptian MP Ehab Mansour, deputy chairman of the House of Representatives' Labor Committee, has urged the government to take a more active role in resolving the long-standing old rent crisis. He emphasized that the government should not shy away from its social responsibilities and that the crisis requires practical solutions. Mansour made these comments during an interview with Amr Hafez on the "All Talk" program aired on Al-Shams channel.
According to Mansour, there are approximately 300,000 apartments closed under the old rent law, with their tenants owning alternative housing. Additionally, 119,000 apartments are closed due to their residents traveling abroad, and 236,000 tenants own more than one apartment at a time. Citing data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, Mansour noted that the percentage of old rent apartments in Egypt decreased from 28% in 1986 to 7% in 2017 and currently stands at around 2-3% of total real estate.
Mansour pointed out that landlords face significant procedural and judicial hurdles when trying to reclaim their properties. He suggested that the government should establish a simplified mechanism for landlords to recover their closed apartments and provide alternative housing for tenants who cannot afford it. Mansour also referenced a proposal he submitted to the House of Representatives in July 2025, which involves utilizing vacant state-owned lands within urban areas to build alternative housing.
The MP highlighted that 33% of tenants and 39% of landlords are retirees, emphasizing the need for government intervention to provide financial support and ensure social justice. He recommended that the government focus on supporting four main groups: low-income retirees, beneficiaries of the "Takaful and Karama" program, female breadwinners, and people with disabilities who are unable to work.
Mansour advised tenants to register on the designated platforms for alternative housing, assuring them that following official procedures will not hinder their access to suitable housing. He also called on the government to utilize thousands of unoccupied apartments identified by the Central Auditing Agency and redirect them to support the alternative housing initiative.
The crisis has significant social implications, with many tenants struggling to pay rent and landlords facing difficulties in recovering their properties. Mansour's comments come as the government faces mounting pressure to address the issue. The old rent crisis has been a contentious issue in Egypt for years, with many stakeholders calling for a comprehensive solution.
Mansour's proposal aims to provide a comprehensive solution to the old rent crisis, balancing the rights of both landlords and tenants. The government is yet to respond to Mansour's proposal, but his comments are likely to spark further debate on the issue. The crisis is expected to continue to be a major concern for policymakers and stakeholders in the housing sector.
Key points
- The Egyptian government is urged to take a more active role in resolving the old rent crisis.
- There are approximately 300,000 apartments closed under the old rent law, with their tenants owning alternative housing.
- The crisis affects not only tenants but also landlords, with many stakeholders calling for a comprehensive solution.
