{"id":606410,"date":"2023-09-15T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-15T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/2023\/09\/15\/how-do-you-register-your-property-in-egypt\/"},"modified":"2023-09-15T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2023-09-15T00:00:00","slug":"how-do-you-register-your-property-in-egypt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/egypt\/2023\/09\/15\/how-do-you-register-your-property-in-egypt\/","title":{"rendered":"How do you register your property in Egypt?"},"content":{"rendered":"

So you\u2019re still not quite sure how to go about registering your property. We <\/strong> get it. <\/strong> Regardless of how familiar you are with the labyrinth of Egyptian bureaucracy, the process of real estate registry can be daunting, and there\u2019s no shortage of people who have avoided it altogether due to its tediousness, bureaucracy, and most importantly, historic lack of clarity. With the help of Hesham Foda<\/a>, managing partner at law firm Foda and Associates, we break down the steps in a simple way and without legalese to demystify this essential process to avoid any penalties from the government or to prevent illegitimate claims to your property.<\/p>\n

WHAT THE LAW SAYS- <\/strong>Last year, the government issued amendments to the Real Estate Registry Act (pdf)<\/a> in a bid to encourage ]property owners to register their real estate assets by streamlining the process and digitizing what they can from it. The amended law also introduced a new system of establishing actual possession of the property. <\/p>\n

HOW? <\/strong>For example, if you are in possession of an apartment for more than five years, have a utility bill in your name, and have a zoning certificate, you will apply at the real estate registry (shahr el aqari) under the \u201cproving actual existence\u201d process. <\/p>\n

The registry will give you a queue number<\/strong>, and they will visit the property. Expect them to speak to your neighbors and the porter asking them direct questions about who has lived in the property, how long have they been there, and if anyone else claimed this property in the past.<\/p>\n

HEED THE FOLLOWING- <\/strong>Squatters can establish claims to the property that has been abandoned and settle there for a few years to exercise possession, warns Foda. The change of electricity meters to smart meters made this crime easier: The illegitimate claimants used this as a chance to change the meter into their name to claim the right of possession when the government was rallying up the public to replace their electricity meters. Some have even managed to make valid claims to properties through false contracts. <\/p>\n

THE DURATION- Ideally 37 days<\/strong>, according to Foda. He explains that this is the turnaround time that the government promises to complete registering a property after you have completed all your pre-requisite paperwork and gone through the motions.<\/p>\n

ATTENTION: FOR NON-EGYPTIANS- You can still only own two properties. <\/strong>The government announced they will be easing up limitations on foreign property<\/a> ownership<\/a> to raise FX. However, the shape and form of such easing is yet to be seen, Foda adds. <\/p>\n

SECURITY CLEARANCE IS NEEDED- <\/strong> In addition to the registration process, expats will be subject to a security inquiry at the request of the real estate registry. The notary will then contact four different security apparati, and when they receive the \u201cno objection\u201d from each apparatus, then the registration process can begin. <\/p>\n

TIMELINE- <\/strong>Expats can be cleared starting from 60 days to one year, on a case-to-case basis.
THE TAX MAN COMETH- <\/strong>Just know that once you are in the system the Real Estate Tax Authority will be knocking on your door for you to pay your annual property tax. <\/p>\n

HOWEVER- <\/strong> If you prove that this is your current primary residence, then you are exempt from the taxes, with limits. <\/p>\n

NOT FOR SECONDARY HOMES- <\/strong> Whether in Cairo, Alexandria, North Coast, Hurghada, etc, these are taxed. <\/p>\n

WANT TO SELL YOUR PROPERTY? <\/strong>Whether it\u2019s a primary residence or secondary home, they will be asking for the property sales tax (2.5%) once you sell it.<\/p>\n

THE PAPERWORK- <\/strong><\/p>\n

#1a- PROOF OF OWNERSHIP- <\/strong>Initial contract, or the finally registered contract from the previous owner (the blue contract), and any unregistered contracts in between. <\/p>\n

#2a- Does your property predate 1992? <\/strong> You need to prove it. <\/strong> This is done through a document that comes from the Real Estate Tax Authority indicating possession in the last nationwide sweep they did in 1992.<\/p>\n

#2b- POST-1992? <\/strong> You need your property\u2019s building permit, <\/strong> which should be in the name of the contractor. You should receive this from the municipality. However, if you live inside a residential compound, you can request it from the New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA) or your developer. <\/p>\n

#3- THE UTILITY BILL <\/strong> with the owner\u2019s name on it with the documentation listed above.
#4- PROPERTY SURVEY- <\/strong>The Planning Ministry\u2019s tech center for surveying properties website<\/a> is the first step. To begin the process you will register on their website (or call their hotline) and provide your mobile number, to which they will send an SMS within 48-72 hours. From it you\u2019ll know when the zoning officer will be making his visit to your property to measure its dimensions and details (PS: They\u2019ll need access to the roof of your property).<\/p>\n

The ministry\u2019s tech center for surveying properties is punctual. <\/strong> After they take the measurements of the property they will have the A3-size zoning certificate ready and sent to you in 6-7 days by an officer from the authority.<\/p>\n

The certificate is\u2026impressive. <\/strong>It has a precise bird\u2019s eye view of your property using Google maps, your property is outlined with a clear highlight on the image, GPS coordinates are listed, and minute measurements are described on a technical drawing. <\/p>\n

#5- Building violations and settling with the government. <\/strong> Check and have proof that your properties are not in violation of the building code or that you have previously settled.<\/p>\n

#6- THE TAXMAN, AGAIN- <\/strong>Present any receipts for paid overdue property sales tax (if you bought this property after 2016 and you are trying to register it) and all overdue annual property tax (rolling since mid-2013).<\/p>\n

THINGS YOU\u2019LL NEED TO CONSIDER-
<\/strong>
Each type of ownership has a different form, and each form has a different process. <\/strong><\/p>\n