Property is often the largest purchase a family or a company makes, and in Egypt title can be complicated. Al-Amthal checks ownership before you buy, drafts sale and lease contracts, advises developers and contractors, and represents clients in property and construction disputes. Our real estate lawyers work from Nasr City, Cairo.
Why use a real estate lawyer in Egypt
Many properties in Egypt are not fully registered with the Real Estate Publicity Department, and a preliminary sale contract alone does not always protect the buyer. Before you pay, a lawyer should trace the chain of ownership, check for mortgages, court cases and disputes, and confirm that the seller has the right to sell.
We act for buyers and sellers of apartments, villas, land and commercial units, for landlords and tenants, and for developers and contractors on residential and commercial projects. We also handle disputes between neighbours and co-owners, and cases over old and new rent tenancies.
How we handle property and construction matters
For a purchase we review the title documents, draft or amend the sale contract, and then complete registration. Where direct registration is not yet possible, we bring a case to confirm the validity and enforcement of the sale. For leases we draft clear terms on rent, duration, increases and handover.
On construction projects we review development, contracting and subcontracting agreements, including contracts based on international models. When disputes arise over delay, defects, variations or payment, we gather the technical evidence, negotiate, and go to court or arbitration if needed. Under Egyptian law, contractors and architects carry a ten-year liability for serious defects that threaten a building's stability, and this often shapes these cases.
Property in Egypt for buyers living in the Gulf
Egyptians working in Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia often buy apartments or land in Egypt from abroad, sometimes before the building is finished. We check the developer and the project, review the contract before you sign, and follow up on delivery and registration on your behalf. If a developer delays or fails to deliver, we explain your options and act in Egypt. Our offices in Kuwait and Dubai offer consultations to clients there. Meetings in Cairo are by appointment, in person or by video.
What we handle
- Title and ownership checks
- Property sale contracts
- Registration and validity cases
- Residential and commercial leases
- Off-plan purchases
- Development and contracting agreements
- Construction disputes
- Eviction and rent cases
Questions clients ask
How do I check that a property in Egypt is safe to buy?
Ask for the seller's ownership documents and the full chain of earlier contracts. A lawyer should check the Real Estate Publicity records if the property is registered, search for mortgages and court cases, and confirm the building permits. We give you a written review before you pay any deposit.
What is a validity and enforcement case?
It is a court case in which the buyer asks the court to confirm that a sale contract is valid and enforceable. It is common in Egypt when a property cannot yet be registered directly. The judgment can later be registered to secure the buyer's ownership. We advise whether it fits your situation.
What can I do if a developer delays delivery of my apartment?
First check what the contract says about the delivery date, any grace period and penalties. We then send a formal notice and try to negotiate. If that fails, you may claim compensation, ask the court to order delivery or, in serious cases, seek to cancel the contract and recover what you paid. The right path depends on your contract and the state of the project.