Barran Press
TAIZ, Yemen — On January 7, 2025, the local authority in Taiz, southwestern Yemen, announced new measures to regulate residential rental prices, mandating that all rental agreements be conducted in the local currency.
The decision was made during a comprehensive meeting attended by local leaders, representatives from the judiciary, political party heads, and directors of various districts. Governor Nabil Shamsan emphasized the necessity of controlling rental prices amid significant increases imposed by landlords demanding payments in foreign currencies, exacerbating the hardships faced by residents due to ongoing conflict and blockade.
Shamsan highlighted that the rental issue has become a pressing concern for all citizens, urging judicial and security entities, as well as local community leaders, to support the implementation of this decision. He called for public backing to combat unjustified rent hikes that burden citizens in these extraordinary circumstances.
The draft resolution stipulates that residential rental contracts will remain valid at the current rates and in local currency without any increases during the ongoing war and blockade. Landlords are permitted to request eviction only in cases of non-payment, while commercial and investment properties remain exempt from this regulation.
Taiz, along with several other provinces, is facing a housing crisis, with skyrocketing rental prices. Many landlords are now demanding rents in foreign currencies, such as the Saudi riyal or US dollar, severely impacting low-income tenants and leading to numerous disputes between renters and landlords.