51 firms fined for violating housing laws

abu dhabi — Dozens of firms and landlords have been fined for violating housing laws, especially for making workers stay in unsafe and congested accommodations.

The Abu Dhabi City Municipality on Sunday said it has registered 51 offences against firms and landlords in Mussaffah area, and slapped them fines ranging from Dh10,000 to Dh100,000.

The violators were identified during a wide-ranging campaign targeting disorderly accommodation and the thronging of residential units in Musaffah and the neighbourhood.

The campaign was launched as a follow-up to the implementation of the law governing occupancy of residential units.

“The campaign is part of the efforts of the department of urban planning and municipalities to contain this phenomenon and eliminate outlawed accommodation, as it constitutes a severe risk and burden on all community members,” said a municipal statement.

“It adds to the demographic pressure and the illegal depletion of natural resources, besides causing unlawful occupancy of such units for purposes other than accommodation; which results in a series of offences.”

The campaigns aim at enforcing the health and environment standards at workers accommodation and ensuring safe and decent living for workers.

The campaigns also help in raising the awareness of resident about the risks of disorderly living to their health and public safety in particular, and the entire community and the environment in general.

The civic body added it will continue its regular inspection campaigns this year targeting workers’ poor and temporary accommodations in collaboration with strategic partners including Abu Dhabi Police and other concerned government bodies.

All residents of Abu Dhabi have been told to comply with the regulations for their health and safety.