200% fine for contract attestation defaulters

Those tenants will now have to pay triple the normal amount for attestation, which is six per cent of the total annual rent mentioned in the contract instead of the normal two per cent.

Khalid Al Shamsi, Head of the Consumer Protection Department of the Sharjah Municipality, said that the tenants of these residential units were earlier given a grace period of 90 days and then 72 hours, but they refused to turn up at the municipality to attest their contracts. The period given to the owners and tenants was more than enough and there are seven offices in various locations in the city to help them attest their contracts.

Al Shamsi refused to mention the number of buildings where the municipality disconnected the utility services, but pointed out that the civic body is going to get tough on those who violate the rules regarding attesting tenancy contract.

Regarding the new contracts in 2012, he said that the municipality grants 60 days’ time after signing the contract and would fine those who are late. Those who do not attest their contracts will receive warnings and then the municipality will inform the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) to disconnect the power and water connections.

The municipality will notify Sewa when the tenants pay the fine and attest the contracts to restore the utility connection.

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com