The President of the Lebanese Real Estate Authority, Andira Al-Zuhairi, warned today, Friday, about the "consequences that will arise for buildings and facilities amid the difficult financial and economic conditions, especially after the elevator incident in Ashrafieh that claimed the lives of two women, not to mention the condition of old buildings that have lacked regular maintenance, in light of old rental laws, or those constructed before 2005, which lack internationally accepted safety standards regarding construction, resilience, and earthquake resistance, among others."
Al-Zuhairi stated in a statement: "We are not surprised by the decline in building maintenance work, especially regarding elevator maintenance contracts and standards and oversight, due to the high costs of spare parts and the loss of their quality at times, as a result of the collapse of the national currency against the dollar. Additionally, some have ceased to provide maintenance for these facilities and elevators, either due to the loss of certain conditions and standards or because the occupants of those buildings and facilities have refrained from paying and fulfilling their obligations."
The statement clarified that "in Lebanese law, there are civil and criminal responsibilities in this regard, particularly in Decree No. 11267 dated 11/11/1997, related to public safety provisions in elevators and the technical conditions available in buildings as well as the required prevention and supervision."
Al-Zuhairi urged building and facility owners to "carry out regular maintenance, and for any party that refuses to bear its responsibilities regarding shared expenses to send notifications and warnings, as this is closely linked to civil and criminal responsibility. This is a focal point for any old lessee who refrains from paying, as they must bear part of that responsibility, which could lead to the loss of their entitlement to legal extension due to their failure to perform their duty regarding shared expenses and costs concerning the portion they occupy."
