Housing rent soars in Lebanon, Syrians become victims of real estate holders

Renting allowance raised to unprecedented level in Lebanon, proportioned with numbers of Syrian refugees in the country.

According to latest official figures by the UNHCR, it is estimated that number of Syrians in Lebanon has hit a million, in other word, there is a Syrian to each 3 Lebanese in Lebanon.

In Alaih, the mountainous city, renting allowance nearly three folded even in winter, when houses used to be empty because of severe cold. However, now, renting allowance reach to levels higher than high seasons’.

Abo Alaa, came to Alaih with his family, and because he was not able to move his furniture he preferred to rent a furnished flat. Alowance began at $450 then it raised to $550 two months later, lately he was informed of raising the aloowance to $750 in Spring.

“I am afraid that allowance would reach to $1000 despite stopping tourism” Abo alaa said.

Usually $100 is added to the renting allowance to cover expenses of electricity, telephone and water that increasingly is becoming rare. Lebanese claim that water scarceness is resulted from incresing numbers of Syrians.

Nidal, a resident said: “some people increased renting allowance to unexpected levels, where a house used to be let for $250 in winter if any found, now prices are very high in winter and Summer”

Beirut has followed the same trend, but at exaggerated levels, where an unfurnished house renting allowance reaches to $900, with high levels of water scarceness, besides increasing food prices. In summary, people with average income cannot survive in Beirut.

Some Syrians preferred to live in villages or suburb areas, however, renting allowance where not that cheap as well, it reached to $350 besides $100 for water and electricity and other services.

On the other hand, in Southern Suburb of Beirut, the house of Hezbullah, renting allowances dropped down because of increasing bombings and explosion, beside fears of Syrians of kidnap or killing, A Syrian activist in Lebanon confirmed.

This report first appeared at Eqtsad, Zaman Alwasl's fellow newspaper.