Dubai: Residents planning to offer any commercial activities including private tuition for students in their homes should think twice as they could face a fine.
Several property developers have confirmed that tenants living in their buildings are not allowed to carry out any commercial transactions, whether be offering tuition or babysitting, as it breaches their tenancy contract.
In a recent incident, Gulf News learned a tenant living in Muhaisnah, Bur Dubai area, was fined Dh800 by the property developer after a company representative visited the flat and discovered that she was offering classes to more than 10 students.
As a repercussion, tenants who used to babysit for their neighbours have flatly refused to do so in fear of also being slapped with a fine.
Officials from the housing inspection department at Dubai Municipality said it is legal for property developers to inspect people’s homes, as they are the owners of the building.
“Inspectors carry out campaigns throughout the year to check for bachelors living illegally in residential areas, as well as the maintenance and structural upkeep of the building,” said Engineer Jaber Al Ali, Head of Building Inspection Department at Dubai Municipality.
“We visit buildings, villas and compounds in cooperation with representatives of the property developers because they could knock on someone’s door and enter. We do not have the authority to enter a person’s home without a warrant from the Public Prosecution, even if their door is open. And our inspectors have been well trained to abide by the rules. But we cannot stop property developers from issuing fines because it is in their right to do so,” he added.
A customer representative from a property development firm also confirmed that some companies have a clause in tenancy contracts which allows them to impose fines of up to Dh2,000.
“Tenants that rent out flats for residential purposes have to strictly abide to the tenancy contract, and under no circumstance can they use it for commercial purposes," said a customer service representative from Wasl property development.
"There is no problem if people want to carry out classes in their homes, but once money is exchanged the gravity of the situation is different and the property developer has the right to step in and stop them, particularly if they received complaints from other tenants."
