The inspectors issue notices to the violators to shape up within a specified grace period.
Sharjah - Families - who cannot afford big houses - can also choose to rent a small housing unit.
Published: Mon 30 Oct 2017, 6:01 PM
It's not a good time to be a bachelor staying in a residential zone in Sharjah!
If you are a bachelor living in a family area in Sharjah, it's time to pack your bags and get moving to a non-residential zone.
The Sharjah Municipality has stepped up its crackdown on bachelors' accommodation in family areas. The intensified inspection comes in response to instructions of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, after the municipality was flooded with complaints from families.
Khalid bin Falah Al-Suwaidi, assistant director general of Sharjah Municipality, said that the inspections were carried out as part of its efforts to stamp out violation of housing norms in the emirate, with the main focus on bachelor's accommodation in residential units and neighbourhoods.
During the campaign which started on October 1, the inspectors issued warning to 1,492 bachelor's accommodations in various parts of the emirate and also gave them a grace period to move to the industrial areas. But only 1,143 residential units heeded to the warning. As many as 349 accommodations which didn't comply with the order will face legal action now.
Al Suwaidi pointed out that all violating units whose owners are unable to take corrective action despite deadlines will be taken to task.
He explained that the monitoring and control of violations of the housing system in the emirate have been mounted following the directives of the Ruler of Sharjah. The customs and traditions prevailing in the emirate needs to be maintained and the safety and tranquillity of families living in residential areas ensured, he said.
The municipality is making concerted efforts to ensure that the emirate remains the ideal destination and preferred place for family housing, Al Suwaidi underlined.
Housing options for bachelors
The municipality has also allocated suitable areas for the residence of bachelors, whether they are workers, employees, professionals or technicians. The workers can reside in industrial areas and Al Sajja.
Executive bachelors can live in buildings for families in residential areas. They need to comply with the stipulated conditions mentioned in the lease agreement, while obtaining the owner's consent.
Tightening the leash
Al Suwaidi stressed that the recent inspection campaigns are also part of the field surveys being carried out by the municipality to ensure that the city is completely free of any violations of housing system, especially accommodation of bachelors, subletting and overcrowding in a residential unit. It is also to check non-compliance of regulations and legal procedures by both the parties and keep tabs on the owner and the tenant.
He added that the municipality swings into action when it receives complaints or reports of violations of the housing norms. It immediately sends inspectors to the site. The inspectors issue notices to the violators to shape up within a specified grace period. In case of continued breach of the norms, legal action is taken against them.
Al Suwaidi said, "Complaints related to mushrooming of bachelors' accommodation in residential neighbourhoods have declined by more than 50 per cent compared to previous years, owing to surprise inspections carried out by the municipality and growing wariness among residents."
Targeted areas
Khalifa Bu Ganem, director of inspection department at Sharjah Municipality, said that the inspection campaign carried out during October covered areas including Al Nasiriya, Mysalon, Al Nabbah, Al Nahda and Al Majaz.
What are housing violations?
Bu Ganem said that the municipality inspects more than 21,000 houses throughout the year, to ensure their compliance with the municipal laws and regulations, while imposing penalties on violators according to the law.
He pointed out that the violation of the housing system include bachelors' accommodation in family neighbourhoods, women and men living in one house, use of rented units for purposes other than those for which they were allocated, and using the house for illegal activities.
He explained that overcrowding in residential unit is prohibited. The municipality has spelt out that the maximum number of persons allowed to stay in a two-bedroom apartment is six. If it's a one-bedroom flat, three people are allowed to stay in it, taking into account the space. Some rooms allow a maximum of four people based on the size and the area.
Families - who cannot afford big houses - can also choose to rent a small housing unit that suits them rather than share residential units with other family or bachelors, he added.
He urged the public to report accommodations of bachelors in residential areas by calling 993 or through the app 'We are all Municipality' - which was recently launched by the municipality to receive complaints.
Important information
1,492 - Inspectors issued warning to these many accommodations
349 - accommodations to face legal action for non-compliance
50% - less complaints on bachelors' accommodation this year
21,000 - houses inspected by Sharjah Municipality each year
2bhk - maximum 6 people can occupy
1bhk - maximum 3 people can occupy
KT NANO EDIT
Abide by the laws
In a country that gives top priority to its residents, any complaints from families will be dealt with seriously. And rightly so. Scores of bachelors living in residential areas can be unsettling for families and this is precisely why designated areas have been earmarked for them. Hence it is only prudent that bachelors abide by the rule, especially when it comes from the highest authority in Sharjah.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com
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