Realtors renting villas to bachelors to lose licence

Dubai: Action will be taken against real estate agents or companies if they rent villas to bachelors, said a senior official.

Dubai Municipality has started taking stringent measures to ensure that bachelors do not stay in villas and the steps are being taken as part of the campaign to ensure the eviction of bachelors from villas, said Omar Mohammad Abdul Rahman, Head of the Building Inspections Section at Dubai Municipality.

He told Gulf News the municipality will not hesitate to cancel the trade licence of a real estate company if it rents villas to bachelors. "Action, including cancellation of the trade licence, will be taken against companies if they rent villas to be used as a labour accommodation or to lodge executive bachelors there," he said.

He defined bachelor as a single person whether married or unmarried, male or female. Even single women are not allowed to stay in villas meant for families. He said there are no restrictions on bachelors staying in flats anywhere in Dubai.

Abdul Rahman said the rule does not apply in communities developed and managed by private developers. They have their own rules to follow in their communities, he said.

The municipality had started a campaign against bachelors living in villas about two years ago following complaints from families that villas are being used as labour accommodation leading to social and moral issues.

"We receive at least 20 to 25 complaints every day about bachelors staying in villas," Abdul Rahman said. The municipality also warned families living in villas not to rent rooms to bachelors.

I disagree with this discriminatory decision of Dubai Municipality. It should be up to the owner of the residential property to decide who is a suitable tenant. I am single and have previously rented a villa in the UAE. I am also a landlord in the UK and would be appalled if the authorities there imposed such restrictions.
Anita
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: August 09, 2007, 10:48

I don't know what type of complaints you are getting about bachelors staying in villas, but if you applied such rules then where will we stay? There are so many bachelors who are earning below Dh1000 for whom a flat is only a beautiful dream which their salary will never allow them.
Gurung
Bur dubai,UAE
Posted: August 09, 2007, 10:43

Good move from the Dubai Municipality. We should ensure family residential areas are free from bachelors. Families? safety comes first.
Ahmad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: August 09, 2007, 09:42