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Abu Dhabi: Up to Dh500,000 fine for overcrowding in buildings amid increased on-site inspections
The authority reserves the right to implement any additional measures, including the suspension of both Tawtheeq contracts and accounts, for landlords and investors
- PUBLISHED: Tue 18 Mar 2025, 1:18 PM
Abu Dhabi launched an awareness campaign to prevent overcrowding in buildings, as authorities increase on-site inspections to enforce strict measures against violators.
The campaign stresses the need for property owners and investors to adhere to property occupancy laws and cooperate in implementing leasing standards.
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Companies are also urged to provide housing for the lower-income demographic within approved accommodations.
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The campaign, termed 'Your Home, Your Responsibility', was launched by the Department of Municipalities and Transport to enhance awareness among both tenants and landlords.
Tenants must take care to refrain from renting units with undisclosed contracts, make sure that rental properties are registered in the Tawtheeq system, and that all cars are registered in their respective Mawaqif zone.
Intensive inspections targeting non-compliant properties and residential units aim to identify several violations to prevent overcrowding, as well as implement administrative penalties and fines ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh500,000.
Moreover, any repeated offences will incur fines of up to Dh1 million. Violators will also risk additional fines and the impounding of non-registered cars for illegal parking in designated residential zones by Mawaqif.
DMT noted that it reserves the right to implement any additional measures as necessary, including the suspension of both Tawtheeq contracts and accounts, for landlords and investors. The authority is calling on property owners, real estate management companies, and residents to ensure compliance with existing rules and regulations.
Dr Saif Sultan Al Nasri, Acting Undersecretary at DMT, said: "Through this awareness campaign, we aim to emphasise the importance that landlords and tenants adhere to the law regulating properties and residential units’ occupancy. This is to alleviate the adverse effects of property over-occupancy, while safeguarding the health and safety of the emirate's residents.
“This coincides with the introduction of our long-term affordable housing initiative to bolster the versatility of Abu Dhabi’s real estate market. However, our goals can only be achieved through collaboration among all stakeholders, including entities and individuals, to fulfil the campaign's objectives."
The campaign aims to prevent the adverse effects of overcrowding in buildings by emphasising compliance with the Regulation of Occupancy of Properties and Residential Units in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
The initiative forms part of its ongoing mandate to enhance residents’ quality of life, as well as improve cohesion in line with the aspirations of the UAE Year of Community.