Sharjah: Sharjah Municipality has begun a campaign to stamp out illegal housing practices, an official has said.

The civic body says violators place a huge burden on the community, and pose a real risk to public health and safety.

Khalifa Al Suwaidi, head of the Operation and Municipal Inspection Department at Sharjah Municipality, said during the campaign officials seized 40 apartments which were rented to people who have violated the UAE residency law.

The apartments were rented on daily and weekly basis in violation of housing rules and ignoring safety of residents,

Al Suwaidi said the department is taking strict action against those who violated housing rules and they would cut power supply to these apartments.

He cited security and social considerations behind the drive — pointing out that the department received complaints from residents saying that owners of the apartments rented their premises to the people who have violated the residency law.

The inspection campaign, which started in Al Nahda, will be extended to other areas, Al Suwaidi said

Al Suwaidi added that municipal inspectors daily visit various areas to monitor violations. During these visits, inspectors also raise awareness about the laws, and highlight the hazards of living in congested apartments.
He also said the inspection campaign is part of the department’s commitment to achieving the highest standards of health and safety for the residents.

Al Suwaidi said during the campaign, bachelors as well as families were found living in congested quarters [villas and apartments] in different areas of the emirate.

Some of the tenants had rented the apartments and villas after submitting documents about their family status, but later they subleted them to bachelors without the knowledge of the apartment’s owner. “Some of them had modified the apartments and villas by using wooden or cardboard partitions without authorisation.”

The inspectors also found some unrelated men and women living in the same apartment, which is strictly prohibited by law. Such violations have been referred to police.

Complaints about tenants sharing apartments illegally can be filed by calling Sharjah Municipality’s 24/7 hotline number 993.