Tenants living in units governed by Egypt’s old rent law will see the first annual rent increase under the amended system take effect from September 1, 2026.
The increase is set at 15% of the current legally adjusted rental value and applies to residential as well as eligible non-residential units covered by the law. The increase will then be repeated annually during the transition period established by the legislation.
The First Annual Increase Under the New System
The September increase is part of the gradual restructuring introduced under Egypt’s amended old rent legislation.
Under Article 6, rental values covered by the law are subject to a 15% annual increase, beginning one year after the first adjustment to the old rent system.
For many tenants, September 2026 therefore marks the first scheduled annual increase since the major rent reforms came into effect.
How Much Will Tenants Pay?
The exact increase depends on the rental value already assigned to each unit.
For residential units, the law introduced minimum rent levels based on the classification of the area. Current minimum monthly values include:
- EGP 1,000 in premium areas
- EGP 400 in middle-income areas
- EGP 250 in economic areas
The 15% annual increase is calculated on the legally applicable rent after these adjustments.
For example, a unit currently rented at EGP 250 would increase by EGP 37.50, bringing the new monthly rent to EGP 287.50.
The Increase Also Covers Non-Residential Units
The September adjustment is not limited to homes.
Commercial shops, clinics, offices and other non-residential properties rented by individuals and covered by the amended old rent law are also included in the 15% annual increase.
Different legal provisions apply to certain properties rented by legal entities, so tenants and landlords should confirm which part of the law applies to their specific contract.
Part of a Longer Transition Period
The rent increase forms part of a wider plan to gradually phase out Egypt’s decades-old regulated rental system.
Under the current framework, residential old-rent contracts have a seven-year transition period, while eligible non-residential units have a five-year transition period before the old contractual system comes to an end.
That means the 15% increase will continue annually throughout the relevant transition period.
Why the Old Rent Law Was Changed
Egypt’s old rent system has long been one of the country’s most debated housing issues.
Many contracts were signed decades ago at extremely low rents that remained largely unchanged even as property values, inflation and maintenance costs increased significantly.
Supporters of the reforms argue that annual increases are necessary to create a fairer balance between landlords and tenants. At the same time, the government has introduced transition periods and alternative housing measures aimed at reducing the impact on long-term tenants.
Alternative Housing Applications Remain Open
Alongside the rent changes, the government has extended the application period for certain tenants seeking alternative state-provided housing.
The deadline for eligible old-rent tenants to submit requests for available replacement units has been extended to October 12, 2026, under a Cabinet decision issued this summer.
The programme forms part of the government’s wider approach to managing the gradual end of the old rent system.
What Happens on September 1?
Starting September 2026, tenants covered by the relevant provisions should expect their legally adjusted rent to rise by 15%.
The increase is automatic under the law and is not a one-time adjustment. The same percentage is scheduled to be applied annually until the end of the transition period.
For both landlords and tenants, the change represents another major step in Egypt’s ongoing effort to reshape a rental system that has remained largely unchanged for generations.
