Translation by Yusra Ahmed
(EQTSAD)- Costs of houses' leasing have madly jumped up in Syria generally and Damascus city particularly. The phenomenon has nothing to do with the principles of “offer and demand”, simply it is kind of “war trade”, as people have to pay for the security and safety they seek when they live in a known safe area.
Damascus city is well-known of the high renting costs long time ago, but after the crisis, costs jumped to more than 100-150%. Moreover, renting a house in the city of Damascus needs a security clearance to allow people to rent houses in particular areas. That increased pressure on both the leasers and the renters, as getting the security agreement has become extremely difficult, especially in areas like Maliki, Abo Rommaneh, Rawda and Shaalan, in other word “the Security Square” were almost 9 out of 10 security clearance applications are rejected.
There are no particular criteria to grant a security clearance for renting a house, even sometimes, renewing security clearances get rejected.
Religion and sectarian background have become new criteria in letting houses. Despite it is not official requirement, but as a procedure estate agents tend to know the religion background of tenants in advance. “Honestly, in my areas, only Christian tenants are accepted” Abo Fadi, a real estate manager explains to al-Akhbar.
Renting costs have reached to unprecedented and unexpected levels in the coastal region. In general Costs almost raised by 3 folds in two years: in 2012, the flat of 15,000 Syrian pounds, has reached to 50,000 Syrian pounds in 2014. While other areas like Mashroo’a in Lattakia, a furnished flat costs 150,000 Syria pounds. The same is applied in the city of Tartus.
Rents' elevation in the coastal region is somehow understandable as it is a safe region, but what cannot be justified or understood, the elevation of rents in Aleppo, as well as vacancy deposit, especially in Western part of Aleppo, which is considered safer!!, but how safe, if the mortars’ shelling don’t recognize area from another.
The tenant has been the weakest link in the game of renting and letting. Some owners demand a full rent for the whole contract periods, while others demand a month in advance to wait for the security clearance and the tenant loses it if he is rejected.
In regard to properties rented by the governmental sectors, most owners do not register the real value of rent to escape taxes which is equal to 1%, for example, a property rented for 50,000 Syrian pounds in registered for 500 Syrian pounds only. Doing that reduces taxes to 100 fold, which affect the treasury and public sectors and services.
Meanwhile, Syrian government has recently raised prices of bread and fuels. A step can add new heavy burdens on the people in war-torn country.
(Eqtsad is a business newspaper affiliated to Zaman Al Wasl)
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