James Whitmee

I am in Casablanca looking at an office lease renewal situation. Moroccan law is very favourable to tenants.

There are statutory rights to renew leases based on an Act from 1955. This sets out a procedure for renewal and explains what happens if the landlord requires the property back. Compensation may be due.

If the property is to be redeveloped it can be up to 3 years rent, 2 years if the building is being heightened, and 5 years if for the owner’s own use as a residence. There are also rent escalation restrictions in separate legislation which limit it to 10% over 3 years for commercial and 8% for residential.

Here is a photo of Boulevard Zerktouni with the landmark Twin Centre roughly in the middle of the shot. The highest rent ever recorded in Casablanca has been agreed further up this road in the Zurich Building at MAD 250 /sq m /month. This is true Grade A and fitted. More generally the best rents are MAD 140 /sq m for shell and core and MAD 160-180 /sq m /month for fitted.