Thus, the problem of staggering rental increases remains. From roughly LBP 68.2 billion in 2005, rental prices of public premises have increased to roughly LBP 97.7 billion in 2015, i.e. up by LBP 29.5 billion equaling 43%. The percentage is likely to increase even more every year as a result of the expansion or ramification of public administrations and the rental increases introduced after the approval of the new Rent Act. 

 

Table 1 draws a comparison between the rental cost of public buildings in 2005 and 2015 and illustrates the percentage of increase. According to this table, the following observations can be made:

    A significant increase in the rent of the Central Administration for Statistics from LBP 350 million to LBP 1.329 billion or up by LBP 979 million, due to its relocation from Kantari to Antelias. 

    A significant increase in the rent of the Ministry of Finance’s buildings from LBP 2.2 billion to LBP 3.6 billion or up by roughly LBP 1.4 billion. The same applies to the General Directorate for Real Estate Affairs whose rent increased by LBP 997 million and the Lebanese Customs which recorded a rental increase of about LBP 675 million. 

    An LBP 1-billion increase in the cost of land and premises leased by the Lebanese Army.

    An LBP 8-billion increase in the rental cost of public schools.

    A significant increase in the rent of the Ministry of Agriculture’s building from LBP 350 million to LBP 1.195 billion i.e. up by LBP 840 million. 

    A LBP 7.5 billion increase in the rent of embassy premises abroad. 

    A LBP 535 million increase in the General Security’s premises after the establishment of new centers. 

    A decrease in the rental cost of the cooperatives’ building affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The table above represents only the rent paid by ministries and public administrations. However, public institutions and municipalities also resort to renting several buildings at a high cost, which, despite the absence of accurate figures, is estimated at an annual cost of roughly LBP 100 billion.

 

These institutions include but are not restricted to: 

-    Parliament

-    Central Fund for the Displaced

-    Social and Economic Council

-    Elissar 

-    National Archives

-    IDAL 

-    State Employees’ Cooperative

-    Green Project

-    National Social Security Fund

-    Water authorities across Mohafazas and their offices in the Qada’as and towns

-    EDL

-    National Institute for Administration

-    Public Institution for Tripoli’s Economic Zone

-    Center for Educational Research and Development 

-    LU branches across Mohafazas and towns