Firms, landlords in UAE fined for violating housing laws

Dozens of firms and landlords have been fined for violating housing laws, especially for making workers stay in unsafe and congested accommodations.

The Abu Dhabi City Municipality on Sunday said it has registered 51 offences against firms and landlords in Mussaffah area, and slapped them fines ranging from Dh10,000 to Dh100,000.

The violators were identified during a wide-ranging campaign targeting disorderly accommodation and the thronging of residential units in Mussaffah and the neighbourhood.

The campaign was launched as a follow-up to the implementation of the law governing occupancy of residential units.

"The campaign is part of the efforts of the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities to contain this phenomenon and eliminate outlawed accommodation, as it constitutes a severe risk and considerable burden on all community members," said a municipal statement.

"It adds to the demographic pressure and the illegal depletion of natural resources, besides causing unlawful occupancy of such units for purposes other than accommodation; which results in a series of offences."

The campaigns aim at enforcing the health and environment standards at workers accommodation and ensuring safe and decent living for workers. The campaigns also help in raising the awareness of resident about the risks of disorderly living to their health and public safety in particular, and the entire community and the environment in general.

"Such a practice distorts the public and civilised image of Abu Dhabi city and the whole metropolitan area. The campaigns are based on Law No (1) for 2011 governing the occupancy of residential units in Abu Dhabi Emirate. The municipality takes several measures to check and report violators as municipal inspectors carry out field visits to residential buildings to educate owners and security guards on the adverse effects of thronging residential units. Inspectors distribute booklets and leaflets containing general guidance showing the risks, laws and conditions for occupying residential units," according to the municipality.

The municipality refers the violators in some cases to the court without offering a direct settlement, and the judge will decide on the amount of the fine according to the conditions and circumstances of each of the instances.

The municipality said it's determined to continue its regular inspection campaigns this year targeting workers' poor and temporary accommodations in collaboration with strategic partners including Abu Dhabi Police and other concerned government bodies.

All residents of Abu Dhabi have been told to comply with the rules for their health and safety.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• Abu Dhabi

Ismail Sebugwaawo

ismail@khaleejtimes.com