Key takeaways

  1. In Lebanon, two separate legal regimes apply depending on when your lease was signed: before or after July 23, 1992.
  2. Under post-1992 contracts, tenants are automatically protected for three years, even if they signed a one-year lease.
  3. A landlord cannot evict you without a court-issued eviction order, regardless of whether you have a written contract.
  4. Refusing to pay rent increases mid-contract is your legal right; agreeing even once can be interpreted as accepting new terms.

Which law applies to my rental contract in Lebanon?

Lebanese rental law is split into two completely different systems, and which one covers you depends on a single date: July 23, 1992.

  • Contracts signed before July 23, 1992: These "old rent" contracts are governed by Temporary Law No. 160/1992, which froze rents and gave tenants strong protections, including the right to renew indefinitely and pass the tenancy to family members. These are being gradually phased out under Law No. 9/2014 (later amended by Law No. 2/2017).
  • Contracts signed on or after July 23, 1992: These are governed by the Code of Obligations and Contracts (COC), which gives both parties more freedom to negotiate terms.

If you're not sure which category you fall into, the date on your original lease is the deciding factor. You can use askLex to help clarify your situation based on your specific contract.

What rights do I have if I signed a lease after 1992?

Even though post-1992 contracts are based on freedom of contract, Lebanese law still gives you several automatic protections.
You are protected for at least three years. Under Article 543 of the Code of Obligations and Contracts, any lease signed for less than three years is automatically extended to three years. This protection cannot be waived or removed by contract. So if you signed a one-year lease, you have the legal right to stay for three years on the same terms.
Your landlord cannot raise your rent mid-contract. For the entire duration of the three-year protection period, any increase in rent is unlawful unless you expressly agree to it. Importantly, if you pay even a single increase, Lebanese courts may interpret that as your tacit agreement to amend the contract terms so be cautious before making any additional payments.
Your landlord must guarantee peaceful use of the property.They are also obligated to address hidden defects that make the property unusable.
You are not responsible for ordinary wear and tear. The tenant is responsible for minor maintenance (such as broken glass, small repairs, and decoration), but not for deterioration that results from normal use, the passage of time, or force majeure.
Subletting is permitted unless your contract says otherwise. If the contract is silent on the matter, subletting for the same use is generally allowed.

What are my rights if I have an "old rent" contract (pre-1992)?

If your lease was signed before July 23, 1992, you fall under the old rent regime governed by Law No. 160/1992. Historically, this gave tenants very strong protections, including frozen rents and the right to renew indefinitely. However, under Law No. 9/2014 (amended in 2017), these protections have been gradually unwound. Old residential leases were given a nine-year transition period (extendable to twelve years in some cases), during which rents would increase progressively before full liberalisation. Given that the law was passed in 2014, this transition period has largely run its course for most residential contracts. Key rights that still apply under Law No. 160/1992 include:

  • Family Succession: If a tenant dies or vacates the property, the lease may be transferred to their spouse, ascendants, or children who were living in the property. Relatives who entered the property at the start of the contract and continue to reside there may also be covered.
  • Protection from eviction without cause: A contract under Law 160 can only be terminated in specific circumstances (see below).
  • Subletting restrictions: You may not sublet without the landlord's written consent unless the contract expressly permits it.

Can my landlord evict me?

This is one of the most misunderstood areas of Lebanese rental law. A landlord cannot evict you without a court-issued eviction order. This applies even if you do not have a written contract: Lebanese law recognises oral leases, and the burden of proving you have no right to stay falls on the landlord. Under post-1992 contracts, a landlord can pursue eviction through the courts in cases such as:

  • Non-payment of rent.
  • Serious damage to the property or violation of contract conditions.
  • Using the property for a purpose not stated in the contract
  • Subletting without written consent.

Under Law No. 160/1992 (old rent contracts), the specific grounds for eviction listed in Article 10 include:

  • Non-payment of rent for two months after formal legal notification.
  • Causing damage beyond ordinary use, or violating contract conditions without the landlord's written approval.
  • Full or partial transfer of the property without the landlord's written consent.
  • The tenant acquiring an equivalent residential property within seven kilometres.
  • Abandoning the property for a full year (while paying rent) or six months (while not paying rent).
  • For non-Lebanese tenants: leaving the property for six months without interruption.

If your landlord is pressuring you to leave without going through the courts, that is not a valid eviction. You have the right to stay until a competent court issues an order.

Does my landlord have to accept rent in Lebanese lira?

Yes. Even if your original contract was denominated in US dollars, Article 319 of the Lebanese Penal Code makes it a criminal offence for a landlord to refuse payment in Lebanese lira. A landlord who refuses LBP payments risks a fine and potentially jail time. If you are concerned your landlord will reject your payment, you can deposit it with a notary public. A tenant who deposits rent this way cannot be evicted on the grounds of non-payment.

What if I don't have a written contract?

Lebanese law recognises oral lease agreements. The absence of a written contract does not strip you of your rights as a tenant, it simply means you would need to prove the terms of your agreement if a dispute arises. Proof can include rent receipts (in any form), witness testimony from neighbours, or even the fact that you hold the keys and reside in the property. In practice, courts have upheld tenants' rights in the absence of written contracts. If you are threatened with eviction under a verbal agreement, you are still entitled to remain until a court order is issued.

What about commercial and non-residential leases signed before 1992?

This area of Lebanese law is currently undergoing significant change. After years of debate, Lebanon's Parliament passed a new Non-Residential Rent Law in 2025 (amended on July 31, 2025) covering shops, offices, pharmacies, factories, schools, and other commercial properties leased before 1992. Under this law:

  • Old non-residential leases will be phased out over a period of five to eight years, depending on the type of tenancy.
  • Fair rent is calculated at 5 percent of the property's current market value (reduced from an earlier proposal of 8 percent).
  • Rents increase gradually over the transition period before full liberalisation.
  • Tenants are divided into four categories with different timelines and rent schedules based on whether they paid an entry fee (key money) and when.

If you hold an old commercial lease, this law directly affects your timeline and rent obligations. The situation is legally complex and still evolving, we strongly recommend getting personalised guidance through askLex.

What should I do if my landlord is violating my rights?

Here are some practical steps:

  1. Do not accept unlawful rent increases,even one payment can be interpreted as consent to the new terms.
  2. Keep all records, receipts, messages, emails, and any written communication with your landlord.
  3. Do not leave the property voluntarilyunless you have decided to do so; your legal right to stay does not expire because your landlord asks you to go.
  4. If threatened with eviction,confirm in writing that you will only vacate upon receipt of a court-issued eviction order.
  5. Seek legal advice: Lebanese rental law is layered and fact-specific. What applies to you depends on when your contract was signed, its terms, your nationality, and other factors.

askLex can help you understand how the law applies to your specific situation, whether you're dealing with an unlawful eviction threat, a rent dispute, or questions about your contract terms.