AbuDhabi launches drive against house sharing

The campaign — ‘No to Mass Accommodation’ — is intended to educate the public about specific standards of civilised accommodation that are in line with safety and security.

The civic body warned against shared housing for bachelors living in residential areas, and suggested that accommodation for workers and bachelors be moved to purpose-built cities. The municipality called on property owners, residential unit investors and tenants to understand the importance of complying with Law No. 1/2011 governing the occupancy of residential units and the use of properties designated for citizens in the emirate.

“The law prohibits condensed accommodation in properties and residential units in a way incompatible with the standards and conditions in place, and calls for using the properties subject to the provisions of the law and for the purpose for which they were built,” said Ahmed Fadel Al Mazroui, director of External Centres at the municipality.

“The law detailed the obligations of government bodies and entities governed by the provisions of the Federal Law No. 8/1980; and barred the accommodation of affiliated workers in a way contrary to the provisions thereof. It also prohibited renting or occupying properties built on commercial, residential or investment land plots in respect of which wholly or partly demolition permits were issued. It also obliged all property owners, investors and tenants to comply with the provisions of the law when making tenancy contracts to avoid legal actions,” he added.

Al Mazroui urged business owners to take the initiative to “immediately evict their workers lodging in outlawed accommodations” and called on the residents to participate in the campaign by reporting to the municipality through toll-free numbers 800555 and 8002220.