Sisi orders delaying implementation of controversial real estate law for 2 years

Sisi orders delaying implementation of controversial real estate law for 2 years

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has ordered delaying the enforcement of the recent controversial amendments to the real estate law for a period of no less than two years, a presidential statement said on Monday, five days before the law was set to come into force.

El-Sisi held a meeting earlier today with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Justice Minister Omar Marawan, where he entrusted the government with putting forward a new bill to push the enforcement of the newly amended law back for a minimum period of two years.

The new amendments oblige citizens to register their properties at the Real Estate Registration and Notarisation Authority (RERN); otherwise, any future related transactions would not be recognised by official entities, and neither would requests for the installation of water, gas, or electricity services be obliged.

The law, approved by the House last August, is in line with state efforts to inventory real estate properties countrywide and allocate a national ID for each housing unit to prevent any building violations, maximise the value of these properties, and ensure the state's rights.

Registering properties with the RERN seldom happens nationwide owing to the registration requirements and fees that are deemed by many to