Housing violations can endanger life
Walls that are not properly built can collapse or block exits during fires
Over 45,000 units in Abu Dhabi have been registered with the Tawtheeq project, which aims to register all leasable properties and lease contracts in the capital.Among other objectives, the project is a way of ensuring that there are no violations of the building code in those properties that are being rented to tenants. This is necessary because some landlords have been dividing their villas into several units which they are renting out as accommodation.
This is against the law. Violations of the building code can threaten the lives of those living on the properties. Walls or other divisions that are not properly constructed can collapse or block exits in the event of fires or other life-threatening situations. Those living in such conditions must contact the appropriate authorities as soon as possible.
Landlords have been able to get away with dangerously overcrowding their properties because of the high demand for accommodation in the capital.
But, the property market in Abu Dhabi is changing as more buildings are completed and more accommodation becomes available to rent. Then tenants will have the chance to move out of accommodation that is not up to scratch, and those landlords who exploited them will be left with empty properties.
