Crackdown aimed at overcrowded residences in Dubai

Dubai: As the deadline for tenants in overcrowded villas draws nearer, Dubai Municipality has clarified that people can share villas if they are related.

"We are cracking down on overcrowded villas where people from various backgrounds live in adjacent rooms or in partitioned rooms. If the members are in some way related, there is no problem if they share a villa but there should be no overcrowding," a Dubai Municipality official told Gulf News.

The official also said the current inspections aimed at curbing the illegal sharing of villas is in line with 'Let us protect our residential environment...together', and not to implement a 'one villa one family' policy.

He added the municipality campaign has begun by targeting villas housing bachelors. The second phase is targeting villas where several families live together.

The municipality has issued a 30-day deadline, ending on October 25, for families to move out. Inspections are on at various locations in Dubai where the practice is rampant.

Though the officials did not divulge information on the number of villas served with eviction notices, they said the crackdown will be intensified next week and no areas will be exempt.

Meanwhile, with hardly a week in their hands, many families said they would prefer to stay in their villas as they could not find feasible alternatives.

With the rents in Dubai reaching sky-high, and real estate agents making it even more miserable by charging key money and hefty commissions, people said they will be rendered homeless if authorities evict them.

"My daughter is in Grade 10 and I just want to stay till her board exams. We have decided to go back to India as it is beyond our means to take our own apartment," said Hassan Kunji, from Kerala. He lives in a shared villa in Rashidiya and pays Dh3,000 a month.

Stephen George, a sales executive with two children said his search for a one-bedroom apartment in Dubai within the range of Dh50,000 has gone in vain.

"They are asking for any thing between Dh75,000 to 95,000 in areas near Al Nahda or Qusais. I think I will have to look in Ajman. But that means increased fuel expenses," said George.

Alma Khan and Nadia, a Pakistani couple living in Hor Al Anz, said they have decided not to move from their villa. "We moved here three months ago after paying a month's deposit to the owner. Now we think it is better to wait and watch."

Do you know anyone who has faced problems because of sharing accommodation? What recourse did they seek? Are you clear about the rules regarding shared accommodation? Fill in the form bellow to send your comments.

It gives relief to the residents that, they can live together in a villa if they are related but not crowded. Still most of them are anxious and idealess on what to do for a settled accommodation
Muhammad
kerala,India
Posted: October 21, 2008, 08:52

Shameless! A country can survive long term growth only if it has a strong and successful middleclass. Dubai rents are pushing the middle class to Sharjah and Ajman from where it takes them 2-3 hrs just to get to work. This isn't fair and something should be to fix the crazy rents and the mayhem traffic.
Sheraz
Houston,USA
Posted: October 21, 2008, 08:09

I was a resident of Rashidiya in a shared villa. And I moved to Sharjah when the rule was implemented. As I'm working in Dubai, I like to stay in Dubai itself. But no accommodation available here to fit to my pocket. The first thing a govt has to do is to provide enough facilities before implementing such laws.
Mohamed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 21, 2008, 08:05

Making rules in one night which are not practical is now happening, here the rents are on sky high, most people in UAE are of those whose salary range between 3000-10000. So how can they pay 100000 for a flat everyone is looking for alternatives living in sharing now it is like odd man out situation who earns good can stay rest will go back.
syed Aamir
Dxb,UAE
Posted: October 21, 2008, 07:53

Who wants to stay in shared villas? I have a 4 bed room house in India and now staying in a shared villa. Why? Because my whole salary is not enough to meet the rent only. I have to bring Dhs. 5000/ from India to stay in One family one villa rule..
Pandary
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 21, 2008, 06:42

Authority should introduce a new rule for the low paid who can?t afford a flat in Dubai. As we can also find a well paid people also stay in these overcrowded villas. It would be great, if introduce some apartments only for bachelors.
ASHIQ
DUBAI,UAE
Posted: October 21, 2008, 06:00