Crowded housing a rampant issue

Abu dubai — Overcrowded accommodations in residential neighbourhoods is a recurrent problem in the Capital, despite continued warnings to landlords and the government crackdown, said the judicial authorities.

Figures issued on Wednesday by Abu Dhabi public prosecutors showed that 98 landlords have been fined since the beginning of the year, for renting family houses to bachelors and for allowing workers to stay in crammed accommodations.

Authorities noted that prosecutors fined 434 landlords for overcrowded accommodations in 2017, while 297 were fined in 2016.

Mohammed Rashid Al Dhanhani, chief of prosecution in Bani Yas, said that they were receiving many complaints from families about bachelors living in crammed accommodations in their neighbourhoods.

The official said landlords and real estate firms allowing houses meant for families to be occupied by bachelors or workers, was among the major causes of overcrowding in residential areas.

“Real estate firms and landlords just focus on collecting huge amounts of cash from their properties by renting houses to bachelors staying many in an apartment,” he said.

“Property owners don’t consider the damages this problem could cause to the society or security threats to families in the neighbourhoods.”

Al Dhanhani noted that bachelors thronging residential neighbourhoods

Real estate firms and landlords just focus on collecting huge amounts of cash by renting houses to bachelors staying many in an apartment.” Mohammed Rashid Al Dhanhani, chief of prosecution in Bani Yas

affect the safety and security of residents as these people involve in various crimes and practices that are against the norms and traditions of the society.

“The presence of many bachelors in places where citizens reside poses a danger to families and children, in addition to damaging the general appearance of residential neighbourhoods,” he said.

“A number of crimes committed by bachelors staying in residential neighbourhoods including prostitution activities, assaults, theft, real estate fraud and residence law violations have been reported to the Public Prosecution.”

Ibrahim Al Hosni, manager of the Municipality Prosecution, said overcrowded homes strain public facilities, including bachelors causing damage to public parks and green spaces, putting pressure on electricity loads and waste transport companies.

“Landlords should stop renting out family houses to bachelors in order to preserve the privacy of residential neighbourhoods,” he said. “Firms should also provide decent accommodations to their workers to avoid fines.”

Authorities said that some firms, especially in Musaffah Industrial area, need to provide decent accommodations that meet health and safety for their workers.

Housing properties that are found in poor condition will be fined up to Dh200,000, according to municipal law issued last year.

The municipality has over the past years fined firms for making their employees live in overcrowded and substandard accommodations. The UAE’s residential laws set a limit of three people per room and prohibit makeshift partitions subdividing rooms.

Offenders of Abu Dhabi’s residential laws face fines of between Dh10,000 and Dh100,000. Repeat offenders are fined no less than Dh100,000 and no more than Dh200,000.

For big offences or in case of repeated violations, the offenders are prosecuted.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com