Old tenants cut-off Sassine Square road in Ashrafieh

Old tenants blocked on Saturday the Sassine Square road in Ashrafieh to protest the new rent law.      

Protesters called on President Michel Sleiman to return the law to Parliament for further examination “to prevent half of the Lebanese people from becoming homeless”.      

“We are not denying the owners’ rights but we entered these homes with legal contracts, we paid taxes and assumed our duties. Therefore, we demand a fair rent law, not one that would force us to leave our homes,” Head of the committee of old tenants said.     

On Tuesday, the Lebanese Parliament passed a controversial rent law, which has been previously rejected by inhabitants, who argue that many won't be able to afford it, prompting them to leave their homes.           

The new law stipulates an increase in rents over six-year period until they reach 5% of their current value.