Attitude change: Bachelor-friendly

Families are beginning to change their attitude toward bachelors as Dubai Municipality enforces the "One Villa One Family" rule.

"I have no problem staying in a flat even if one of the rooms is let out to executive bachelors. My husband and I cannot afford to rent a whole flat," said Cinthia S., a saleswoman who was asked to move out of her flat in Karama.

"The landlord has been served with a second municipality notice asking him to evict us as otherwise we will both be liable to pay a Dh50,000 fine," she said.

Indeed the exodus of one or more families from a flat has opened up an opportunity for tenants to take in bachelors.

Higher rent

Couples in Karama and Bur Dubai are currently paying an average of Dh3,000 as monthly rent for a single room with shared toilet and common kitchen. Families with one or two children will now have to pay Dh4,500 to Dh5,000 for comparable accommodation in the same areas when they move out.

"How can we afford this as 80 per cent of our earnings will be consumed if we pay the higher rent?" said Sheila K., a working mother of one.

Mahalakshmi S., a teacher who resides with seven other families in a villa in Rashidiya, said: "So far the notice to vacate has not come. But we worry that the villa rule will compel us to move to Sharjah to find affordable accommodation. We don't mind sharing accommodation in Dubai with bachelors, if it means avoiding shifting to Sharjah."

Sam P., who is living with two families in Karama, said he didn't want to share a flat with bachelors, but his family will just have to get used to co-habiting with them, if necessary.