“Old rent” law takes another step forward: The House of Representatives gave preliminary approval to a draft law permitting landlords to evict organizations, government agencies, public and private companies, embassies, and other entities leasing properties under the old rent system, Masrawy reports. The bill would come into effect within five years of its being signed into law, while tenants would pay five times their current rent — with a 15% annual rent hike — in the meantime. It would not affect individuals who rent under the old rent system. The House Housing Committee signed off on the bill last month.

What’s next for the bill: It will be up for a final vote in a later plenary session. If passed, it will be sent to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to be signed into law.

WATCH THIS SPACE- A wider overhaul of the old rent system could be next. House Speaker Hanafy El Gebaly asked representatives to prepare suggestions for a debate on amending the old rent law that governs individuals who rent under the old rent system, Al Mal reports. Gebaly stressed that public consultations and extensive debate would take place before the implementation of any changes that would have an impact on individual renters.

Legislators will be treading carefully: First introduced during our socialist interregnum, the old rent law still governs many contracts signed on a near-permanent basis eons ago. Landlords and others have called the law unfair, as it has kept rents at remarkably low levels for some amid a wider crisis of affordable housing. Legislators have been reluctant to make reforms, especially when it comes to individual renters, as any change could lead to widespread evictions of families from homes they’ve lived in for decades.