Arabic-language reference guide to residential tenancy, rent and eviction in federal Iraq under the Real Estate Lease Law No. 87 of 1979 (as amended). General legal information, not legal advice — verify with Iraqi counsel; the Kurdistan Region differs and article numbers are from secondary sources.
In federal Iraq, residential rent is capped at 5% of the property's value per year (7% for rooms), revalued every 5 years. Eviction grounds are enumerated (non-payment after warning, unauthorized subletting, damage, unlawful use, leaving the property vacant >45 days). Leases auto-extend so long as the tenant pays and occupies — a strong tenant protection — except buildings constructed on/after 1 Jan 1998. A tenant can cure a rent default by depositing the rent with a notary within 15 days.



