Illegally-partitioned villas evicted in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi residents, who have been living in illegally partitioned villas, have been served notices to vacate before end-December.

A resident of Khalifa City A, told ‘Emirates24|7’, that they are in the process of finding alternate accommodation after being served the eviction notice.

In the notice to tenants of Khalifa City A, owners of the villa explain that the eviction process is undertaken by Abu Dhabi municipality.

“We are asked to convert all units to single-tenant units. We request you to kindly vacate the property immediately as there is possibility of the municipality imposing a penalty and disconnection of utility services including power supply.”  The notice reiterates that the property must be vacated on or prior to December 27.

“All units are to be handed over to our maintenance team and necessary clearance certificate should be obtained.”

The landlord also attached a notice issued by the judicial department of the Abu Dhabi municipality confirming the above statements.

These properties violate an occupancy law implemented in 2011 with the decision to convert all spilt villas for single villas was based on health and safety concerns.

However, a local classified website still continue to have listing for partitioned villas for the capital, with lease rates between Dh2,500 per month and Dh3,000 per month. Those living in partitioned houses pay at least 20 to 25 less than the cost of renting a one-bedroom unit in the capital’s most affordable housing district.

The Abu Dhabi Municipality, which intensified the drive to stop illegal sharing in 2013, has warned landlords abusing such regulations that they could be deprived of government services, including water and electricity. Municipality inspectors have been given the green light to raid any villa or apartment suspected of violations.

“The municipality has published several awareness-raising articles in newspapers urging landlords of residential units and property management companies to comply with the provisions of the Law No (1) / 2011 governing the occupancy of residential units, and removing any offences to avoid taking legal actions against offenders within the grace period specified in the written warning,” Ahmed Fadel Al Mazroui, Director of External Centres, Abu Dhabi City Municipality, said.

“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 in the purpose for which they were built.

“The legislation permitted the renting of buildings constructed on residential plots for families or bachelors in respect of which an Administrative Decree No (203) for 2013 had been passed from the Chairman of the Department,” Al Mazroui added.

Bachelors caught violating rules set by the administrative decree can face fines of Dh10,000.

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