UAE | Housing & Property
Thousands put their hopes in draw for just three flats
With accommodation scarce, thousands of people are entering a draw to get hold of a flat through the Shaikh Khalifa Committee - and their numbers are increasing every day.
- By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:09 January 9, 2008
- Image Credit: Supplied Picture
- Mohammad Abdullah, Deputy Director, Rent Section, Shaikh Khalifa Committee.
Abu Dhabi: With accommodation scarce, thousands of people are entering a draw to get hold of a flat through the Shaikh Khalifa Committee - and their numbers are increasing every day.
About 2,169 people yesterday tried their luck for just three flats, including a one-bedroom flat, two four-bedroom flats and a shop, through the Finance Department - Commercial Buildings of Abu Dhabi Government, popularly known as the Shaikh Khalifa Committee.
"Monday witnessed the highest number of entries for one flat as 3,440 people tried for a two-bedroom flat with an annual rent of Dh43,000 in the Tourist Club area," said Mohammad Abdullah, Deputy Director of the rent section at the Shaikh Khalifa Committee.
"So far the highest number of entries a day was 3,816 (for more than one flat). He said 20,589 people had participated in the draw since its introduction in August 2006, and they had tried their luck 397,716 times.
Pressure
The committee has so far given 1,738 flats to the public. About 333,734 SMS entries have been received for the draw since its introduction in April 2007.
"The acute shortage of accommodation has put tremendous pressure on the committee and we try to do the proceedings promptly and efficiently," Abdullah said.
The committee strictly prohibits real estate agents taking part in the draw for flats. "If any real estate agents are found misappropriating the properties of the committee, we file a case against them."
He said that residents who work for a real estate agency can attain a property for themselves, but if they sublet it, legal action will follow.
"We are not against any particular group of people like real estate agents, but it is matter of upholding the law that subletting is prohibited."
The official said even if there is acute shortage of accommodation for bachelors, no relaxation can be given on subletting as it may create problems for families.
"Relaxation on subletting may attract bachelors to the residential buildings of families." He made it clear that, apart from municipal rules, "our culture and tradition also prohibit the mixing of bachelors and families."
Details: How to register
Details of the flats available are published on www.ejarat.ae at 3.30pm daily and registered applicants can send an SMS until 1pm the following day to register for the draw.
Your comments
Obtaining a house has become an impossible task. Some landlords charge Dh80,000 for a single-bedroom flat. How can a middle-class person afford a two-bedroom flat, which will come for around Dh140,000? We request the authorities to look into the matter, or it will force people to relocate.
From Imtiyaz
Abu Dhabi
UAE
Posted: January 09, 2008, 14:57
I request the authorities to take steps to solve the problem of accommodation. Many expats are leaving Abu Dhabi because of this problem.
Ahmed
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 09, 2008, 14:00
I have been applying to the Khalifa Committee for more than a year now. The system should give preference to people who have been applying for a long time and don't have a flat to stay in. Since the past one year, I and my family have been staying in a shared apartment and that too after moving four times.
Viqas
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 09, 2008, 12:14
The Khalifa Committee should stop this draw system. The government should build as many flats as possible and stop privatising the committee buildings.
Pravin
Abudhabi,India
Posted: January 09, 2008, 11:43
Subletting has become a profitable business in Abu Dhabi. I pay Dh2,800 per month for a small sublet room. The annual rent of the two-bedroom flat is only Dh40,000. So the actual tenant has to pay only Dh6,400 annually for a big room, living hall and all the other facilities.
Sanjay
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 09, 2008, 10:23
I have been trying to get a flat for the past one and a half year, but in vain. In my building, I know of two flats where bachelors are staying and another one has been sublet. The building belongs to the Khalifa Committee. I have entered the draw for more than 100 times now. Can there be some system to help us know why we have not made it?
Marina
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 09, 2008, 10:11
I have been participating in the draw since August regularly but without much luck. Though Mr Abdullah said subletting is prohibited, many flats are being rented privately from current tenants (subletting). It doesn't take rocket science to find out who is doing it and how to stop it. All you have to do is look at the ads listed on Alwaseet or similar advertising outlets and inquire about the flats.
Yosef
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: January 09, 2008, 09:26
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