A recently imposed regulation requiring people who move to Damascus to be vetted by security forces before they can rent or buy a new home is forcing many internally displaced people to turn to bribery.

While Syrians are accustomed to government bureaucracy, the regulation, which came into effect in August 2015, directly affects internally displaced citizens who have fled the provinces in the hope of finding some stability in government-controlled Damascus.

Akram, 30, spent three months going from one security branch to another in the hope of acquiring one of these security permits to rent a house in the Meydan neighborhood – a well-to-do area in southern Damascus, but his requests were repeatedly rejected. He thinks the reason might be because he moved to the capital from the rebel stronghold of Eastern Ghouta on the northeastern outskirts

This security permit regulation was imposed as more and more displaced Syrians – the majority from opposition held-areas – began relocating to the capital. The restrictions were meant to enable the government to keep tighter control over a steadily increasing population and to determine the allegiances of the new arrivals.

The regulation states that anyone who wishes to rent a home, move furniture or buy or sell a property must obtain a written security clearance issued by the local security branch. Landlords face possible criminal charges if they sell or rent property without first verifying permits.

Those who have fled hot-spots in rural areas are almost always denied the permits.