n Morocco, only one notary per transaction for both parties. The notary must guarantee the rights of both the seller and the buyer, he is an impartial agent, dedicated to monitoring the morality and legal security of the contracts he authenticates. Before the realization and signature of the compromise (or promise) of sale, he will ensure the legal status of the property: melkia, requisition of registration or land title, and will warn the acquirer of any risks. In particular, they will verify that the property is mortgage-free. If necessary, they will require a building permit and a residence permit.  The notary is responsible for drafting the final act of sale and registering the transaction. He takes over the formalities of land advertising.

He may also be responsible for obtaining the tax discharge as well as for settling the tax on real estate profits (TPI) on behalf of the seller.

As purchasers make their investment with foreign currencies, it can take charge of the declaration with the exchange office. Since January 2022, it is no longer necessary to have declared its acquisition with the foreign exchange office in order to benefit from the retransfer guarantees in case of resale. All you have to do is ask for and keep the Form II document produced by the bank receiving the funds from abroad.

The proceedings are written in French or Arabic. The parties must choose a language of writing.

For persons who do not understand the language of writing, a sworn translator or, if applicable, an ad hoc translator (if the sworn translator does not exist in Morocco, such as for Portuguese or Norwegian for example), will be required by the notary. He will be present at the signing of acts, will translate them faithfully and will co-sign the acts.

Notary fees are essentially taxes collected by the notary on behalf of the state (transfer taxes, registration fees with the Moroccan real estate office). To these taxes are added the notary’s fees (usually 1%). Count 7.2% of notarial fees for the acquisition of a securitised property or a registration requisition (in the course of titration). And if your acquisition requires a credit from a Moroccan bank, add 1% of the amount of the credit.

If you purchase a property in Melkia, know that the notary cannot draft a sale agreement or an act of sale as long as the property is in melkia. But some notaries can initiate the titration procedure, which involves obtaining a registration number. In this case, you will sign a private agreement with the seller. Upon obtaining the requisition number, the notary will draw up the deed of sale and register it. In this case, know that the costs will be 13%, or up to 19% depending on whether it is necessary or not to perform an act of istimrar. Rest assured, the agency Côté Medina will be able to guide you and explain in detail the process in question.

A convertible dirhams account is an account reserved for non-resident foreigners. Only foreign currency or funds from another account can be paid into convertible dirhams. But you can withdraw foreign currencies (Euros, Pounds, etc...) or Dirhams (hence its “convertible” name), either in cash directly to the bank, or make transfers abroad. You can apply for a checkbook (only for payments in dirhams) and an international bank card valid for payments and withdrawals abroad. This is the account you will open if you decide to acquire a property in Morocco.

If you become a resident of Morocco, you can also benefit from a dirham account. The account in dirhams, unlike the convertible dirhams account, only works in Morocco: for deposits, payments and withdrawals in dirhams.

All payments you make (purchase, notary fees, works, share capital of SARL, etc.) must come from your convertible dirham account (cheque, or transfer allowing traceability) or possibly from your account abroad to the notary’s account directly, Thus, when you are in a position to sell your property, you will have the guarantee of retransfer, controlled by the Exchange Office.

You must carefully request and keep Forms 2 (from the bank where your account is housed in convertible dirhams, or the bank of the notary who received your funds from abroad) and all the traceability elements of your payments (copy or number of cheques, account statements...) so that the entire fruit of your sale, once the tax on real estate profits (TPI) settled, and the various tax concessions obtained, can be paid by the notary to your account in convertible dirhams or even directly to your account abroad (you choose which option you prefer. 

The funds deposited in your convertible dirhams account can be used for another investment, which will itself benefit from retransfer guarantees.

Whether you are a seller or a buyer, your partner Côté Médina will take a look at you and explain everything in detail so that your file is in good order. We are accustomed to and often recover old, wobbly files that we help you put back in good order so that you benefit from all your rights.

If you want to rent a residential property year-round, allow a month of rent to be paid to the agency for contracts of one year and more.If you want to rent a property in free management or commercial lease (rental free management of a guest house for example), count on 10% of the rent over the entire term of the contract. The real estate agency is responsible for advising you, from the search for the property to the completion of the contract with the support of legal and tax professionals (notary and accounting firm). It can make for you the inventory and the inventory of the contradictory places or you can address a real estate expert. The agency will be settled upon delivery of the keys.

Side Medina invoice in accordance with the regulations in force.

If you want to rent your property year-round, for residential use, allow a month of rent to be paid to the agency for contracts of one year and more.If you want to rent a property in free management or commercial lease (rental free management of a guest house for example), count on 10% of the rent over the entire term of the contract. The real estate agency can make for you the inventory and the inventory of the contradictory places or you can address a real estate expert or a bailiff. The agency will be settled upon delivery of the keys.

Side Medina invoice in accordance with the regulations in force.

When you sell a property, whether it is a riad, a traditional house, a guest house in the medina of Marrakech or elsewhere in Morocco, the agency that you have mandated and that allows you to sell will collect 3% tax (2.5% + 20% VAT) of the amount of the sale. These are legal fees. Agency fees are paid at the end of the real estate agent’s assignment, that is, the day the act of sale is signed.

Side Medina invoice in accordance with the regulations in force.

If you want to buy a property, riad, traditional house, charming house, land, ruin, apartment, douirya, in the medina of Marrakech or elsewhere in Morocco, plan to add 3% tax (2.5% + 20% VAT) of the amount of the sale. Agency fees are paid at the end of the real estate agent’s assignment, that is, the day the notarized act of sale is signed. Except for special negotiations, the real estate agent receives 6% including taxes (5% + 20% VAT) of the amount of the sale.

Note that the seller also pays 3% including taxes (2.5% + 20% VAT) of the amount of the sale, which are generally included in the sales price displayed. This is what we practice in Côté Médina. The prices displayed include the agency commission on the seller’s side.

Instead of the regulations in force (agency commissions shared between seller and buyer) you can opt for a net seller offer. More optimal in terms of charges and taxes. In this case, the buyer does not pay commissions and you pay the entire 6% including taxes. You get a lower price, and you optimize on the total purchase amount + notary fees + agency fees.

When you are in the process of making an offer to purchase, we will calculate the various options and help you to formalize your offer optimally.

Side Medina invoice in accordance with the regulations in force.

Until 2021, the residence permit was issued by a commission that verified compliance with the plans and generally compliance with architectural, concrete structure and urban standards.

From now on, the residence permit is issued directly by the architect in charge of the project. He is responsible for it. It can be checked by an administrative commission.

A residence permit is required in the following cases :

• New construction
• Renovation after 1992 and requiring major structural work, with Ne Varietur plan (issued by the architect and targeted by the administration) and reinforced concrete plan.
• If you sell or buy an old house in the medina (which existed before 1992) and it has not been the subject of major work, the permit to live is not an obligation.

What about the Boutique Hotel?

Residence permit and guest house:

Until June 2012, the permit to live was also an obligation to obtain a classification guest house. (Permit to live mention “guest house”). This regulation was applied between June 2008 and June 2012 and was subsequently discontinued. Today it is no longer a mandatory document. It depends on the type of work that was done in the riad.

However, having a Ne Varietur plan, a building permit and a residence permit is an asset.

Only the classification commission of the guest houses decides on the allocation of rankings.

s an intermediary, usually specialized in the area where it is located. You will find them in small neighbourhood shops. Often a key is drawn on their door. Sometimes they display goods in "window". 

If he is able to present you goods, unfortunately, his skills will often be limited there. They tend to present everything they know (and even what they don’t know). They have a bad reputation among Moroccans. In the Medina, they are compared to the little bee, which turns around you and buzzes in your ear. It is to be regretted that they have, for the most part, no added value, no sense of service.  No sense of market value, what matters is to earn as much as possible on a sale, even if it means rigging prices (selling more than the owner expects and trying to pocket the difference). No legal concept: melkia, title, requisition, ahbous, etc... Do not expect to be properly informed about the legal qualities of the property. Often several intermediaries, who complicate things, each wanting his share of the commissions, if by chance you have found a good that interests you. Sometimes sales do not end only because of the interference of samsar and different intermediaries! Also expect random, unprepared visits. Expect to walk a lot, wait a lot, find closed doors or occupants who do not open. You will lose a lot of time, see few goods in the end and probably very little or none to match your criteria.

If still, by dint of patience and perseverance, you find a good that interests you through a samsar, it is up to you to inform yourself by your own means (notary, land conservation, accountant, bank, etc.) in order to avoid possible pitfalls and to tie your file well for one day resell and dispose of all your rights.

Not necessarily ! If you have a lot of energy, a lot of time and you are adventurous, you just have to manage a good notary and/ or advice from wise friends in order to detect risky situations. This is not impossible, but it is safer to contact a real estate agent who will understand your expectations, select the corresponding goods, prepare the visits in the time allotted for this, and especially to explain all the specificities related to a purchase in Morocco for a foreigner.

A real estate agency like Côté Medina works in transparency, with a reliable knowledge of the market (price and value history, values by geographical areas, expertise of goods), a detailed knowledge of legal situations (and in particular a preliminary study of the legal situations of the goods for sale), an ability to save you time and serenity by coordinating buyer-seller-notary-bank-accountant, during the signing phases, and in the end a perfectly square and unsurprising file so that when resale, whether in the short, medium or long term, you will never be bored.

These regulations are constantly evolving. And the application of the regulations by the Grading Board also changes regularly. Sometimes it classifies with a low level of requirement, sometimes with a high level and does not pass any exception or approximation.

In recent years, a separate male/female toilet and a disabled room on the ground floor of the riad have become an obligation. The filing commission is very demanding right now.

Here I give you the first version of the general conditions, but I invite you to carry out an updated search.

Terms and Conditions:

The guest house is classified «First category» and is characterized by its traditional Moroccan architecture, decoration and furnishings in typical Moroccan style.
The services and comfort must be of quality. Breakfast service is mandatory.
The rooms, suites and common premises must show a luxurious appearance in terms of layout and equipment.

The “Tier 1” guest house must also have the following characteristics:

• have a well-selected situation,
• have a welcoming entrance, well lit at night and marked with a sign bearing the name and category of the establishment,
• have a parking lot guarded day and night (*1). B)
• have a living room and reception hall.

The reception must be luxuriously decorated and marked with the traditional Moroccan stamp and include the following services:

• reception desk or counter,
• Concierge having at his disposal doorman, hunter,
• soundproofed telephone booths,
• phone, fax,
• Moroccan living room with excellent quality furniture,
• patio or courtyard,
• typical Moroccan decoration composed of: Art pieces, paintings on Morocco, chandeliers, sculptures of traditional style…
• typical furnishings consisting of: benches, seats, Moroccan carpets, carved or painted wood furniture, etc.

The establishment must have a catering service (*2).
(*1) parking can be substituted by stopping places near or around the guest house specially reserved for guests.
(*2) If the property has more than ten (10) rooms.

Sanitary facilities in common premises:
Separate common washrooms for men and women must be provided in common premises. These premises must be equipped with the following necessary equipment: Toilets with flaps and brushes at the level of the basins, urinals in sufficient number, washbasins with hot and cold running water (mixer taps or mixers), electric hand dryer, waste boxes and dispensers for liquid soap, deodorizers and sufficient ventilation (windows or ducts with fans).

1. Habitability
   The guest house classified as «first category» must have a minimum of (05) rooms and/or suites and a maximum of thirty (30) rooms and/or suites.

   C.1. The rooms
   The rooms must have a minimum area of 14 m2 and be equipped with:

• sufficient natural and artificial lighting,
• good quality opaque blackout curtains,
• a hot and cold air conditioning system,
• superior bedding and comfortable size (King size double bed or twin beds of 1.40 m X 2.00 m),
• refined furniture, including at least:
  • a wardrobe or cupboard,
  • two tables and two bedside lamps,
  • a headboard switch,
  • carpets or bed descents,
  • a writing room with the necessary to write,
  • a dressing table with stool,
  • a telephone device,
  • one chair per person and a coffee table,
  • a Luggage rack,
  • a TV connected by satellite,
  • a mini bar,
  • a personal safe,

C.2. Suites Suites must have an area of 25 m2 (bathroom and walk-in closet). They must be luxuriously furnished, and decorated and include, in addition to the amenities and furnishings required for the rooms:

• a private living room with high quality furniture,
• an additional telephone device,
• an additional television set,
• a high-quality carpet,

C.3. Sanitary
facilities Rooms and/or suites must be equipped with full bathrooms of at least 08 m2 including: bathtub with non-slip system, safety handle, sink with mixer, insulated W.C and bidet (optional).

 The bathroom must be luxurious, provided with natural or artificial ventilation by duct with fan and equipped with:

• a high-quality floor and wall covering,
• of hot water at all times,
• a high-quality toilet linen with hooks,
• of first quality home products.

1. Outbuildings and Service Facilities
   D.1. Lounge(s) – bar
   The area of the lounge(s) must be greater than or equal to 10% of the total area of the rooms, and may be limited, in the event of duly justified technical problems, to 40 m2. This room must be luxuriously furnished, particularly comfortable and in perfect condition of maintenance.

D.2. Room- Service
A room – service must be provided if the infrastructure allows it to provide service in the rooms 24/7 (trolleys, plate bells, food cards, etc.).

D.3. Cafeteria
A fully equipped cafeteria must be set up in an independent room offering, exclusively à la carte, breakfast for guests. This space must be sufficiently ventilated and include:

• sufficient operating equipment (cutlery, porcelain plates, high-quality glassware, etc.)
• operating equipment (coffee machine, coffee grinder, etc.).

D.4. Patio or inner courtyard
This space must be shaded and may be embellished, possibly, with a fountain or planted with trees. It can also serve as a sitting room – courtyard to serve breakfast.

D.5. Kitchen
If the establishment provides the clientele with additional services such as lunch or dinner, a kitchen must be provided for this purpose. It must be studied and equipped to ensure fast and quality service. Its size must be proportional to the number of clients handled by the institution.
Kitchen personnel are required to wear proper dress and to follow personal hygiene and dress rules.
The kitchen must be fitted out and equipped as follows
– a separation hatch must be provided between the kitchen and the dining room so that no odours or noise emanating from the kitchen can be a hindrance to the clientele: 

• the kitchen floor must be fitted with non-slip waterproof tiles,
• the walls of the kitchen must be tiled to a height of 1.60 m, of light color and easily washable,
• the spaces must be ventilated and ventilated, the filters of the exhaust hood ventilation system must be regularly cleaned or changed,
• all windows or openings must be fitted with screens,
• a cooking area consisting of necessary operating equipment that must include at least four live fires, hot plates and stoves, stainless steel work tables, a service pass, ovens, fryers ...,
• an area for the preparation of cold cooking,
• an area for the preparation of fish,
• an area for meat preparation,
• a pastry room duly equipped and ventilated,
• the cold room,
• refrigerators and freezers must be in sufficient numbers, equipped with thermostats and light indicators. The cold room must also be equipped with an alarm bell. The use of wooden shelves and crates is strictly prohibited. An anti-cold vest is mandatory,
• a separate dishwasher room or area (dishes/vegetables/fruit). It can be separated from the other worktops by a sufficient distance or by a physical separation by means of a glass partition or a tiled wall at a height of 2m,
• a cellar of the day in an airy and accessible place,
• a regulatory committee consisting of two separate well-ventilated premises, reserved respectively for the storage of foodstuffs and maintenance products. In no case should cleaning or disinfection products be stored in the same place where food is stored (risk of pollution and confusion),
• garbage bins must be equipped with a foot control system that is easily leachable, equipped with waterproof single-use plastic garbage bags and placed close to work surfaces,
• hand washers must be provided with a foot control system and installed near the workstations. These should be equipped with hot and cold water mixer taps, antiseptic liquid soap dispensers, nail brushes, single-use hand dryers or towels.

1. Personnel Rooms Personnel rooms must be in perfect condition with adequate ventilation, be well equipped and include a refectory, a break room, separate dressing rooms for men and women (with a shower, a sink and a W-C for 20 people), individual wardrobes and possibly dormitories or single rooms.
   These rooms must be equipped with toilets equipped with washbasins and brushes. Washbasins must be located in close proximity to the washroom and equipped with hot and cold water mixer taps, always functioning antiseptic liquid soap dispensers, single-use nail brushes and hand towels, or electric hand dryers.
2. Services – Staff
   The guest house 1st category must have (0.9) employees per room. All the staff of the establishment must come from a hotel school or a specialized training centre or have adequate training or apprenticeship. The whole must be affiliated to the C.N.S.S in accordance with the regulations in force.

F.1. Management The director of the establishment must be of good character, have a diploma in tourism or have received training in hospitality or have experience in managing tourist units.

F.2. Reception – Restaurant
The reception and restaurant staff must be constantly dressed in traditional Moroccan dress and speak, at least, in addition to the Arabic language, two foreign languages including French.

F.3. Floors – Rooms
The rooms must be maintained by a qualified housekeeper, assisted by maids and/or valets.

F.4. Night service A night shift must be provided at the level of services: reception, floors and maintenance.

1. Lingerie – Laundry
   The guest house classified as "first category" must provide a laundry service for the resident clientele (*1). The lingerie must include: a washing machine, a dryer, a calenderer, a dryer. The lingerie must be separated from the laundry room and must have storage shelves and a linen stock at a minimum of three sets per room.
2. Animation
   The guest house «First category» must propose to its clientele various activities according to the region of implementation:

• water skiing, canoeing, horseback riding, golf, fishing, hunting, hiking or other, tennis, V.T.T, 4-4 tours
• boardrooms
• swimming pool (if infrastructure permits) 
• the institution must have documentation on Morocco and organize exhibitions of Moroccan art…

1. Miscellaneous
   The price display is mandatory at the reception and the rooms.
   A complaints book must be made available to customers in a visible place at the reception. A multipurpose room with a complete equipment for conferences, banquets, seminars, etc., (if the infrastructure allows). A hot and cold air conditioning system installed at all common premises (restaurant, bar, lounges, reception, hall, etc.). A child care
   facility. (*1) Optional benefit, if it is subcontracted Have a medical assistance service run by a doctor on contract. This service includes an infirmary run by a dedicated nurse to provide emergency care to clients and to provide employees with adequate and ongoing medical assistance.
   To have brochures in several languages including Arabic containing information about the establishment, its location and its locality of establishment and which must be made available to the clientele at the reception level.
   A maintenance service, to ensure the continuous operation of all facilities and equipment. The use of spring springs is strictly prohibited.
2. Safety
   Establishment personnel must be trained in the use of fire fighting and first aid procedures.
   The facility must have:

• a direct telephone connection with the civil protection services,
• security lighting to be installed at all common premises, corridors and traffic;
• clear and visible evacuation plans with fire safety instructions in Arabic and foreign languages to be posted in rooms, hallways and common areas,
• stairs and emergency exits marked in Arabic and foreign languages,
• sufficient fire-fighting equipment to be marked and installed in all common rooms, floors and technical services (fire extinguishers including those with automatic activation at the boiler room, smoke detectors, etc. etc.. (For establishments located outside the medinas, these means must be reinforced by R.I.A and fire hydrants).

All the technical equipment of the establishment must comply with the safety standards in force.

1. Hygiene and Environment,
   The establishment must comply with applicable hygiene and environmental standards and must have:

• a system for the regular on-site treatment of pool waters which must be periodically analysed by an authorized official laboratory,
• the establishment must regularly carry out the disinsectisation and the deratisation of all its premises by an approved body, the checks must be recorded in a special register and handed over to the control bodies if necessary,
• The facility must have a suitably tiled, refrigerated garbage conditioning chamber (where infrastructure permits) with openwork door located near the service entrance. The premises must be managed in such a way as to be clean at all times and to prevent contamination of foodstuffs, drinking water, equipment and premises. Otherwise, a space reserved for this purpose.

The guest house is called «house of charm» when it has, in addition to the characteristics required for the first category, the following criteria:

• be located in a site of high tourist value, distinguished by its exceptional traditional Moroccan architecture and by the presence of large patios and gardens flowered and raised, parks, swimming pool, hammam and jacuzzi,
• to have a decoration neat and refined by rare and ancient objects,
• to present a gastronomy of Moroccan and international luxury,
• be equipped with a minimum of means of accommodation, in the form of rooms and suites, the number of which varies from 20 to 40 rooms. The rooms and suites must have a minimum area of 20 to 30 m2, respectively,
•  be equipped with a fitness centre (sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, hydrotherapy, massages, body and face treatments, etc.).

Source: Official Bulletin No. 5192 Du 12 Moharrem 1425 (04 March 2004)

http://www.tourisme.gov.ma/docspdf/Normes09-2003.pdf

These regulations are constantly evolving. And the application of the regulations by the Grading Board also changes regularly. Sometimes it classifies with a low level of requirement, sometimes with a high level and does not pass any exception or approximation.
In recent years, a separate male/female toilet and a handicapped room on the ground floor of the riad have become an obligation and the classification commission is very demanding at the moment.

Here I give you the first version of the general conditions, but I invite you to carry out an updated search.

Guest houses “second category”
A. General provisions

The guest house is classified «second category» and is characterized by its typical Moroccan architecture, decoration and furnishings in traditional Moroccan style.
The services and comfort must be of quality. Breakfast service is mandatory.
The “second category” guest house must:

• Be easily accessible,
• Have a well-lit entrance at night and indicated by an apparent sign bearing the name and category of the establishment,
• Parking is available day and night (near the property or further away) (*1).

1. Lounge, Reception Hall
   B.1. The reception must be decorated and marked with the traditional Moroccan stamp and must include the following services:

• Reception desk or counter
• General Safe,
• Concierge,
• Telephone and fax, soundproof telephone booths,

The «second category» guest house must also include:

• A Moroccan salon,
• A patio or courtyard,
• A typical Moroccan decoration composed of: Art pieces, paintings on Morocco, chandeliers, sculptures of traditional style…
• A typical furnishing composed of: Benches, seats, Moroccan carpets, carved or painted wooden furniture ...

The establishment must provide a food service (*2).

Sanitary facilities of common premises:
Separate communal toilets for men and women must be provided in the common premises. These premises must be equipped with the following necessary equipment: Toilets with flap and brushes at the level of the basins, urinals in sufficient number, washbasins with hot and cold running water (mixer taps or mixers), electric hand dryer, Waste boxes and dispensers for liquid soap, deodorizers and sufficient ventilation (windows or ducts with fans).

(*1) parking can be substituted by stopping places near or around the guest house specially reserved for guests.
(*2) If the property has more than ten (10) rooms.

1. The rooms
   The rooms must have a minimum area of 12 m2 and have:

• Sufficient natural and artificial lighting,
• Of opaque blackout curtains,
• From a hot and cold air conditioning system,
• Quality bedding (double bed: 1.90 m x 2.00 m or two single beds: 1.40 m x 1.80 m),
• Furniture comprising at least:
  • A wardrobe or wardrobe,
  • two tables and two bedside lamps,
  • a headboard switch,
  • Moroccan carpet or bed descents,
  • one chair per occupant and a coffee table,
  • a luggage rack,
  • a dressing table/writing room,
  • a telephone device, 

C.1. The rooms

The rooms must have a minimum area of 12 m2 and have:

• Adequate natural and artificial lighting
• Of opaque blackout curtains,
• From a hot and cold air conditioning system,
• Quality bedding (double bed: 1.90 m x 2.00 m or two single beds: 1.40 m x 1.80 m),
• Furniture comprising at least:
  • A wardrobe or wardrobe,
  • two tables and two bedside lamps,
  • a headboard switch,
  • Moroccan carpet or bed descents,
  • one chair per occupant and a coffee table,
  • a luggage rack,
  • a dressing table/writing room,
  • a telephone device

C.2. Suites Suites must have an area of 20 m2 (attic areas not included: bathroom, wardrobe). They must be well furnished and decorated and include, in addition, the amenities and furnishings required for the rooms
A private lounge with quality furniture: 

• a coffee table,
• a mini-bar,
• a television set.

C.3. The sanitary
facilities The rooms and/or suites must be equipped with full bathrooms with a surface area of at least 03m2 including: bathtub with non-slip system, safety handle, sinks with tap taps, insulated W.C, and bidet (optional).
The bathroom must also have natural or artificial ventilation with a ventilator sheath and have:

• Quality floor and wall covering,
• Hot water all the time,
• A quality towel equipped with hooks,
• Of home products

1. Outbuildings and Service Facilities
   D.1. Lounge(s) – bar
   The area of the lounge(s) must be greater than or equal to 10% of the total room area. It must be well laid out, comfortable and in perfect condition of maintenance.

    

D.2. Room- Service
A room – service must be provided (if the infrastructure allows) to provide service in the rooms 24/7 (trolleys, plate bells, food cards, etc.).

D.3. Cafeteria
A fully equipped cafeteria must be set up in an independent room for breakfast preparation. This space must be sufficiently ventilated and include:

• Sufficient operating equipment (cutlery, plates, glassware, etc.)
• Operating equipment (coffee machine, coffee grinder, etc.)

This space can be used as a lounge – courtyard for breakfast service.

D.5. Kitchen
If the establishment provides the clientele with additional services such as lunch or dinner, a kitchen must be provided for this purpose. It must be studied and equipped to allow the application of the basic principles of hygiene and food safety and to ensure fast and quality service. Its size must be proportional to the number of clients handled by the institution.
The kitchen must be arranged and equipped as follows:

• A separation hatch must be provided between the kitchen and the dining room so that no odours or noise emanating from the kitchen may be an inconvenience to the clientele,
• The kitchen floor must be equipped with a non-slip waterproof tile,
• The kitchen must be tiled to a height of 1.60 m, of light color and easily washable,
• The rooms must be ventilated and ventilated, the filters of the ventilation system of the extractor hood must be regularly cleaned or changed,
• All windows or openings must have screens,
• A cooking area consisting of the necessary operating equipment must include at least four live fires, hot plates and stoves, stainless steel work tables, a service pass, ovens, fryers ...,
• An area for the preparation of the cold kitchen,
• An area for the preparation of fish,
• An area for meat preparation,
• The cooler, refrigerator and freezer must be equipped with thermostats and light indicators. The cold room must also be equipped with an alarm bell. The use of wooden crates and shelves is strictly prohibited. An anti-cold vest is mandatory,
• An isolated dishwashing room or area. It can be separated from the other worktops by a sufficient distance or by a physical separation by means of a glass partition or a tiled wall at a height of 2m,
• A cellar of the day in an airy and accessible place,
• A regulatory committee composed of two separate well-ventilated rooms, reserved respectively for food storage and maintenance products. In no case should cleaning or disinfection products be stored in the same place where food is stored (risk of pollution and confusion),
• Garbage bins must be equipped with a foot control system that is easily leachable, equipped with waterproof single-use plastic garbage bags and placed close to work surfaces,
• Hand washers must be provided with a foot control system and installed near the workstations. These should be equipped with hot and cold water mixer taps, antiseptic liquid soap dispensers, nail brushes, single-use hand dryers or towels.

1. Personnel premises Personnel premises must be kept in a perfectly clean condition with an adequate ventilation system, well equipped and include a refectory, a rest room, separate men’s and women’s sanitary facilities (with a hot water shower, a washbasin and a W-C for 20 people) as well as separate men/women’s changing rooms with individual cabinets. These premises may include dormitories or single rooms.
   They must be equipped with toilets equipped with washbasins and brushes. Washbasins must be located in close proximity to the washroom and equipped with hot and cold water mixer taps, always functioning antiseptic liquid soap dispensers, single-use nail brushes and hand towels, or electric hand dryers.
2. Services – staff
   The guest house «2nd category» must have 0.7 employees per room. All the staff of the establishment must come from a hotel school or a specialized training centre or, have a complete training or apprenticeship. The whole must be affiliated to the C.N.S.S in accordance with the regulations in force.

    

F.1. Management The director of the establishment must have a diploma in tourism or have received training in hospitality or have demonstrated experience in managing tourist units

F.2. Reception – Restaurant
The reception and restaurant staff must be constantly in traditional dress and speak at least two foreign languages, including French, in addition to the Arabic language.

F.3. Floors – Rooms
The rooms must be maintained by a qualified housekeeper, assisted by maids and/or valets.

F.4. Night Duty Night
duty must be provided at the level of services: reception, floors and maintenance;

1. Animation
   The guest house «second category» must propose various activities according to the region of implementation:

• Water skiing, canoeing, horseback riding, golf, fishing, hunting, hiking or other activities, tennis, V.T.T, 4-4 tours, etc.,
• The institution must have documentation on Morocco and organize exhibitions of Moroccan art, 
• Board games room,
• Swimming pool (if infrastructure permits). 

1. Miscellaneous
   The establishment must have:

• From an infirmary run by a dedicated nurse to provide emergency care to clients and to provide employees with adequate and permanent medical assistance,
• Brochures in Arabic and in foreign languages containing information on the establishment, its location and its locality of establishment and which must be made available to the clientele at reception,
• A maintenance service to ensure the continuous operation of all facilities and equipment,
• Tables of prices obligatorily displayed at the level of reception and rooms,
• A book of complaints that must be made available to customers in a visible place at the reception,
• A hot and cold air conditioning system; The use of spring springs is strictly prohibited,

1. Safety
   Establishment personnel must be trained in the use of fire fighting and first aid procedures.
   The facility must have:

    

• A direct telephone link with civil protection services,
• Security lighting to be installed at all common premises, corridors and traffic,
• Clear and visible evacuation plans with fire safety instructions in Arabic and foreign languages to be posted in rooms, hallways and common areas,
• Stairs and emergency exits marked in Arabic and foreign languages,
• Adequate fire-fighting facilities which must be signposted and installed in all common rooms, floors and technical services (fire extinguishers including those with automatic activation at the boiler room, smoke detectors, etc.). In the case where the establishment is located outside the medina, these means must be reinforced by R.I.A and fire hydrants),

All the technical equipment of the establishment must comply with the safety standards in force.

1. Hygiene and Environment
   The facility must meet current hygiene and environmental standards and must be equipped with:

• A system for the regular on-site treatment of pool water that must be periodically analyzed by an authorized official laboratory,
• The establishment must regularly carry out the disinsectisation and the deratisation of all its premises by an approved body, the controls must be recorded in a special register and handed over to the control bodies if necessary,
• A properly tiled, refrigerated garbage conditioning chamber with openwork door located near the service entrance. The premises must be managed in such a way as to be clean at all times and to prevent contamination of foodstuffs, drinking water, equipment and premises. Otherwise, an area reserved for this purpose.

Source: Official Bulletin No. 5192 Du 12 Moharrem 1425 (04 March 2004)
http://www.tourisme.gov.ma/docspdf/Normes09-2003.pd