Utilities for shared villas will be turned off

Dubai: Dubai Municipality will now start disconnecting electricity and water to violating villas as the one month deadline for multiple families staying in these homes expired on Friday.

"No more deadlines will be given to the residents of these villas as we have given ample time for them to vacate," said Omar Mohammad Abdul Rahman, Head of the Building Inspection Section in the Buildings Department.

He said that those who violate the Municipality deadline will face fines, which may be as much as Dh50,000.

"The fines may not be restricted to villa owners. The tenants who refuse to comply with our regulations will also face fines," said Abdul Rahman.

"After conducting inspections we had given notices to the families staying in villas, telling them only one family can stay in a villa. As per the notices, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) will start cutting water and electricity connections as the notice period has come to an end," he said.

Dismissing the news about allowing close relatives to stay in one villa, Abdul Rahman said that no cousins or other people will come under the definition of the family.

"A family means father, mother and children," he said. "We have certain regulations and those who violate them will face action. Our inspectors have already conducted inspections in different areas and found that there are violations. Now inspections are all over, it is action.

No partitions

"All partitions made without Municipality permission should be removed. No extra rooms or bathrooms. No structure constructed without permission will be allowed to continue. All of them should be demolished now," Abdul Rahman added.

As part of the campaign that began in 2005, warnings were issued that many families staying in one residential unit in which illegal alterations had been made would not be allowed. When the residential unit is used by more families against the plan, it becomes difficult to manage, resulting in the accumulation of waste, affecting public safety and the environment," said Abdul Rahman.

Do you know anyone who lives in shared accomodation? Have they found a suitable alternative? If not, what were the problems they faced? Fill in the form bellow to send your comments.

Govt. gave a 70% salary raise for those working in Govt. sector last year and said nothing about the private sector. The people are ready to give high rent if they are well paid (if one has to pay 5000 dirham?s rent/month, he has to get min. 10000 dirham?s salary/month. Otherwise the Govt. has to make it available low cost apartments like one small bedroom with hall
karnan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 27, 2008, 12:26

me and my brother stay in a flat in sharjah. will it also be considered as sharing as we are blood related??
Mohammed
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: October 27, 2008, 12:14

Thank you very much for continuing to give us information and addressing this accommodation problem.I myself I live in a shared accomodation. its not my wish to stay there infact its devastating, stressing and most of all it invades ones privacy.we hate this kind of life but really what do we do?if only the government of Dubai could intervine to find a lasting solution on this matter then it will not only be of the government benefit but also on mainly the low income workers.
pmm
dubai,UAE
Posted: October 27, 2008, 12:00

What if your family is not here? Family visa is not allowed for everybody. If your alone in UAE and can't afford the rent for a whole villa where are you going to stay? My company is not providing accomodation either. So where is the possible place to stay.
eden
Dubai,UAE
Posted: October 27, 2008, 11:37

NO COMMENTS LAW IS LAW BUT HUMANITARIAN BASIS ATLEAST THE TIME SHOULD BE GIVEN UPTO APRIL2009 SCHOOL ACADEMIC YEAR COMPLEATED.
Minhaj
DUBAI,UAE
Posted: October 27, 2008, 11:15