Lebanon's Old-Rent vs New-Rent: Tenancy & Eviction Explained
Lebanon's 23 July 1992 split: COC 3-year protection for new leases, the old-rent phase-out (2014/2017 reform), and court-only eviction.
Lebanon splits leases at 23 July 1992. New leases follow the Code of Obligations & Contracts, with a 3-year implied protection (Art. 543). Old (pre-1992) leases were rent-frozen under the 1992 Rent Acts and are being liberalized over a 9–12 year transition by the 2014/2017 reform, with compensation tied to property value. Eviction always requires a court order and is notoriously slow; the post-2019 crisis has severely distorted old rents.
FAQ
What is the difference between old and new rent in Lebanon?
23 July 1992 is the cutoff: newer leases follow the Code of Obligations & Contracts with a 3-year implied protection, while older ones were rent-frozen and are being liberalized over 9–12 years.
Can I be evicted quickly in Lebanon?
No. Eviction requires a court order and is notoriously slow (often reported well over two years in practice); self-help eviction is prohibited.
What compensation applies when a landlord reclaims an old unit in Lebanon?
In the old regime it typically ranges from 25% to 50% of the property value for demolition/reconstruction or reclaiming for family use.