Latest news with #DubaiMunicipality
The National
an hour ago
- The National
As Dubai cracks down on illegal partitions and subletting, here's what you should know
Dubai Municipality's recent crackdown on residential units fitted with illegal partitions to cram in occupants has shone the spotlight on the dangers of living in shared accommodation that has not been approved by authorities. Under Dubai law, tenants can be evicted for subletting without consent from the landlord in multi-storey buildings or villas. Owners can also be held responsible for modifying property without permission from Dubai Municipality. Breaches of the law on unauthorised shared accommodation can result in fines of up to Dh50,000 ($13,610), according to law number 26 of 2007 and law number 33 of 2008 of the Dubai Rental Law. The inspections by municipality officials in neighbourhoods including Satwa, Rigga, Barsha and Muraqqabat over the past month have been shared widely on social media with warnings from lawyers and management companies that both property owners and tenants can be held responsible for illegal modifications and overcrowding. The National has reached out to Dubai Municipality for more information on the action being taken and is awaiting a response. Here is a breakdown on why illegal partitions in residential apartments, villas and subletting without approval is not permitted in Dubai: What are illegal partitions? When a bedroom, living area or balcony within a residential unit is divided with wooden or non-fire rated gypsum boards without securing permits from Dubai Municipality this constitutes illegal partitions in an apartment or villa. These makeshift barriers create multiple spaces within a residential unit and push more people in to the same space. People create partitions to accommodate more tenants or to create more additional office spaces. Why is this dangerous The use of unauthorised material flouts building codes and fire safety regulations as the partitions could block ventilation units, emergency exits and can restrict quick evacuation in case of an emergency or fire. Unapproved changes to the internal areas can compromise and weaken the structural integrity of a residential unit and adversely impact the overall safety of a building. Safety campaigns Authorities often conduct awareness drives to warn tenants that living without the necessary permission in multi-occupancy rooms is illegal. They issue notifications that unapproved partitions and unauthorised alterations in construction can restrict access for firefighters in emergencies. An investigation into a fire that killed 16 people in a residential apartment building in 2023 in Deira found lack of compliance with safety standards and inadequate fire protection. Residents who spoke to The National said between eight to 12 people shared a room. Inspection campaigns by authorities in multi-storey buildings and villas have often been conducted over the past several years in Dubai and other emirates. What are the rules Property owners must take permission from Dubai Municipality's buildings department, which passes approvals for repair work or additional extensions. Any work in a building or villa that may 'involve permanently or temporarily changing, whether in whole or in part, the features of any land or property', cannot be conducted without a permit issued by Dubai Municipality as per local regulation. Tenants cannot make any structural changes, unless written permission is granted by the landlord. A tenant cannot sublet or share an apartment without written permission from the landlord, as per law number 26 of 2007. The new occupants must be added to the Ejari tenancy contract to be clearly recognised as living in the apartment. Failure to follow the rule can lead to eviction of both the tenant and the sub-lessor, regardless of the rent being paid. Action you can you take Even if the property owner has verbally agreed to additional people living in the apartment, the tenants should get the landlords approval in writing. If a property owner is illegally sub-leasing the apartment and the tenant has already paid the rent, this can be reported to Dubai Municipality. Landlords should verify the maximum occupancy limit with Dubai Municipality. If a tenant has illegally partitioned or sublet the unit, the landlord should gather evidence of the changes, issue a formal notice, report to Dubai Municipality and file a case with the Rental Dispute Centre for eviction. Concerned neighbours can also report any unauthorised modifications as these are a legal and safety issue that can affect the entire residential space. The Dubai Land Department's website has contacts to report tenancy-related complaints and reach Dubai Municipality on 800900. Who will be held responsible Authorities can inspect a property to check the complaint and order the removal of all illegal partitions. Fines may be levied on the property owner and the tenants can be evicted. A legal case can be filed against the landlord to enforce removal of partitions in case severe violations are detected. Why is this important Dubai Municipality specifies that compliance with rules and laws is essential to maintain safety. The municipality's technical guidelines on accommodation clearly state that inspections are required to 'ensure and enhance a commitment to regulations,' and to achieve a high level of health and safety. Inspections may be conducted on a request from the building management, it could be a random inspection or to follow up on complaints, as per updated Dubai Municipality guidelines issued in June last year.
The National
3 hours ago
- The National
Who can be fined for illegal partitions and unapproved subletting in Dubai homes?
Dubai Municipality's recent crackdown on residential units fitted with illegal partitions to cram in occupants has shone the spotlight on the dangers of living in shared accommodation that has not been approved by authorities. Under Dubai law, tenants can be evicted for subletting without consent from the landlord in multi-storey buildings or villas. Owners can also be held responsible for modifying property without permission from Dubai Municipality. Breaches of the law on unauthorised shared accommodation can result in fines of up to Dh50,000 ($13,610), according to law number 26 of 2007 and law number 33 of 2008 of the Dubai Rental Law. The inspections by municipality officials in neighbourhoods including Satwa, Rigga, Barsha and Muraqqabat over the past month have been shared widely on social media with warnings from lawyers and management companies that both property owners and tenants can be held responsible for illegal modifications and overcrowding. The National has reached out to Dubai Municipality for more information on the action being taken and is awaiting a response. Here is a breakdown on why illegal partitions in residential apartments, villas and subletting without approval is not permitted in Dubai: What are illegal partitions? When a bedroom, living area or balcony within a residential unit is divided with wooden or non-fire rated gypsum boards without securing permits from Dubai Municipality this constitutes illegal partitions in an apartment or villa. These makeshift barriers create multiple spaces within a residential unit and push more people in to the same space. People create partitions to accommodate more tenants or to create more additional office spaces. Why is this dangerous The use of unauthorised material flouts building codes and fire safety regulations as the partitions could block ventilation units, emergency exits and can restrict quick evacuation in case of an emergency or fire. Unapproved changes to the internal areas can compromise and weaken the structural integrity of a residential unit and adversely impact the overall safety of a building. Safety campaigns Authorities often conduct awareness drives to warn tenants that living without the necessary permission in multi-occupancy rooms is illegal. They issue notifications that unapproved partitions and unauthorised alterations in construction can restrict access for firefighters in emergencies. An investigation into a fire that killed 16 people in a residential apartment building in 2023 in Deira found lack of compliance with safety standards and inadequate fire protection. Residents who spoke to The National said between eight to 12 people shared a room. Inspection campaigns by authorities in multi-storey buildings and villas have often been conducted over the past several years in Dubai and other emirates. What are the rules Property owners must take permission from Dubai Municipality's buildings department, which passes approvals for repair work or additional extensions. Any work in a building or villa that may 'involve permanently or temporarily changing, whether in whole or in part, the features of any land or property', cannot be conducted without a permit issued by Dubai Municipality as per local regulation. Tenants cannot make any structural changes, unless written permission is granted by the landlord. A tenant cannot sublet or share an apartment without written permission from the landlord, as per law number 26 of 2007. The new occupants must be added to the Ejari tenancy contract to be clearly recognised as living in the apartment. Failure to follow the rule can lead to eviction of both the tenant and the sub-lessor, regardless of the rent being paid. Action you can you take Even if the property owner has verbally agreed to additional people living in the apartment, the tenants should get the landlords approval in writing. If a property owner is illegally sub-leasing the apartment and the tenant has already paid the rent, this can be reported to Dubai Municipality. Landlords should verify the maximum occupancy limit with Dubai Municipality. If a tenant has illegally partitioned or sublet the unit, the landlord should gather evidence of the changes, issue a formal notice, report to Dubai Municipality and file a case with the Rental Dispute Centre for eviction. Concerned neighbours can also report any unauthorised modifications as these are a legal and safety issue that can affect the entire residential space. The Dubai Land Department's website has contacts to report tenancy-related complaints and reach Dubai Municipality on 800900. Who will be held responsible Authorities can inspect a property to check the complaint and order the removal of all illegal partitions. Fines may be levied on the property owner and the tenants can be evicted. A legal case can be filed against the landlord to enforce removal of partitions in case severe violations are detected. Why is this important Dubai Municipality specifies that compliance with rules and laws is essential to maintain safety. The municipality's technical guidelines on accommodation clearly state that inspections are required to 'ensure and enhance a commitment to regulations,' and to achieve a high level of health and safety. Inspections may be conducted on a request from the building management, it could be a random inspection or to follow up on complaints, as per updated Dubai Municipality guidelines issued in June last year.
Mid East Info
9 hours ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
High-Level Delegation from Dubai Municipality Visits Moro Hub to Explore its Advanced Digital Infrastructure and Smart Solutions
His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), welcomed a high-level delegation from Dubai Municipality at Moro Hub, a subsidiary of Digital DEWA, the digital arm of DEWA. The delegation was led by His Excellency Marwan Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality. The visit aimed to strengthening collaboration on digital transformation and smart city initiatives between both organizations. The meeting was attended by Eng. Marwan Bin Haidar, Vice Chairman – Digital & Group CEO of Digital DEWA; Eng. Waleed Bin Salman, Vice Chairman – Energy at Digital DEWA; Abdul Nasser Abbas, Board Member of Digital DEWA; Mohammed Bin Sulaiman, CEO of Moro Hub. HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer said: 'We are guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to enhance Dubai's positioning as a leading city driven by sustainability, innovation, and digital excellence. This visit by Dubai Municipality reinforces the critical need for unified efforts among government entities to accelerate the deployment of smart, secure, and sustainable infrastructure. Our goals are fully aligned with the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 Strategy and the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. At Digital DEWA, we are enabling digital transformation and shaping the foundation of a resilient green economy by delivering integrated and world-class technologies that enhance operational agility, thus boosting Dubai's status as a global benchmark for digital and environmental leadership.' The visit included an in-depth presentation on Moro Hub's full suite of services, followed by an exclusive tour of its state-of-the-art facilities, including the Network Operations Centre (NOC), Security Operations Centre (SOC), the Smart Cities and IoT Command Centre, and the company's Green Data Centre. At the end of the tour and presentation, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer presented Moro Hub's Green Certificate to HE Eng. Marwan Bin Ghalita, acknowledging Dubai Municipality's commitment to environmental sustainability. The certificate formally confirms that by hosting its IT workloads at Moro Hub's Green Data Centre, Dubai Municipality is set to achieve substantial reductions in carbon emissions, marking a significant milestone in environmental responsibility . His Excellency Marwan Bin Ghalita said: 'As Dubai continues its evolution into one of the smartest and most sustainable cities in the world, it is essential that we work closely with strategic partners like Moro Hub. This visit allowed us to explore how their digital capabilities can complement and enhance our smart city initiatives, improve public services, and strengthen infrastructure resilience.' The delegation's tour was designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of Moro Hub's role in the digital ecosystem, from managing mission-critical data operations to securing smart city infrastructures. The visit also highlighted how Moro Hub supports the broader goals of enhancing urban resilience, environmental sustainability, and citizen-centric service delivery. Moro Hub continues to serve as a strategic digital partner to public and private sector entities, offering services across Cloud & Hosting, Smart City & IoT, Advanced Technology, Cybersecurity, Managed Services, and Enterprise Solutions. The company's facilities and platforms are designed to support the UAE's long-term goals of building a knowledge-based, innovation-led, and sustainable economy. About Moro Hub: As part of 10X, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (PJSC) mobilised its innovation unit to create a new entity called Digital DEWA, which uses innovation in artificial intelligence and digital services to meet the current and future requirements brought about by the 4th industrial revolution. This entity required an innovative, agile data hub, and thus Moro Hub was established. Forming the backbone of Digital DEWA, Moro Hub was introduced to fulfil the need for an innovative and agile data centre. Through its purpose-built, industry-accredited data hub, Moro Hub uses its expertise, capabilities and alliances to contribute to the digital transformation of society. Trusted to secure, manage, and integrate data, Moro Hub is committed to providing value through customer-centric innovation, creating new opportunities now and in the future.
Web Release
a day ago
- Business
- Web Release
High-Level Delegation from Dubai Municipality Visits Moro Hub to Explore its Advanced Digital Infrastructure and Smart Solutions
His Excellency Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), welcomed a high-level delegation from Dubai Municipality at Moro Hub, a subsidiary of Digital DEWA, the digital arm of DEWA. The delegation was led by His Excellency Marwan Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality. The visit aimed to strengthening collaboration on digital transformation and smart city initiatives between both organizations. The meeting was attended by Eng. Marwan Bin Haidar, Vice Chairman – Digital & Group CEO of Digital DEWA; Eng. Waleed Bin Salman, Vice Chairman – Energy at Digital DEWA; Abdul Nasser Abbas, Board Member of Digital DEWA; Mohammed Bin Sulaiman, CEO of Moro Hub. HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer said: 'We are guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to enhance Dubai's positioning as a leading city driven by sustainability, innovation, and digital excellence. This visit by Dubai Municipality reinforces the critical need for unified efforts among government entities to accelerate the deployment of smart, secure, and sustainable infrastructure. Our goals are fully aligned with the UAE's Net Zero by 2050 Strategy and the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 and Dubai Net Zero Carbon Emissions Strategy 2050. At Digital DEWA, we are enabling digital transformation and shaping the foundation of a resilient green economy by delivering integrated and world-class technologies that enhance operational agility, thus boosting Dubai's status as a global benchmark for digital and environmental leadership.' The visit included an in-depth presentation on Moro Hub's full suite of services, followed by an exclusive tour of its state-of-the-art facilities, including the Network Operations Centre (NOC), Security Operations Centre (SOC), the Smart Cities and IoT Command Centre, and the company's Green Data Centre. At the end of the tour and presentation, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer presented Moro Hub's Green Certificate to HE Eng. Marwan Bin Ghalita, acknowledging Dubai Municipality's commitment to environmental sustainability. The certificate formally confirms that by hosting its IT workloads at Moro Hub's Green Data Centre, Dubai Municipality is set to achieve substantial reductions in carbon emissions, marking a significant milestone in environmental responsibility. His Excellency Marwan Bin Ghalita said: 'As Dubai continues its evolution into one of the smartest and most sustainable cities in the world, it is essential that we work closely with strategic partners like Moro Hub. This visit allowed us to explore how their digital capabilities can complement and enhance our smart city initiatives, improve public services, and strengthen infrastructure resilience.' The delegation's tour was designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of Moro Hub's role in the digital ecosystem, from managing mission-critical data operations to securing smart city infrastructures. The visit also highlighted how Moro Hub supports the broader goals of enhancing urban resilience, environmental sustainability, and citizen-centric service delivery. Moro Hub continues to serve as a strategic digital partner to public and private sector entities, offering services across Cloud & Hosting, Smart City & IoT, Advanced Technology, Cybersecurity, Managed Services, and Enterprise Solutions. The company's facilities and platforms are designed to support the UAE's long-term goals of building a knowledge-based, innovation-led, and sustainable economy.
Gulf Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Illegal Partitioned Rooms, Bed Spaces In Dubai: Safety Risks And The Search For Sustainable Housing Solutions
Crackdown on illegal partitioned rooms and bed spaces is underway, targeting serious safety risks—from fire hazards to blocked emergency exits—in crowded residential buildings, particularly in areas like Deira. Recently, Dubai Municipality, alongside the Dubai Land Department and Civil Defense, has launched intensified inspections across key residential hotspots like Deira, Al Riqqa, Satwa, Al Barsha, and Al Raffa. Their target? Illegal partitioned rooms and bed spaces that pose serious safety risks—from fire hazards to blocked emergency exits—in crowded residential buildings. Partitioned rooms might seem like a quick fix for affordable housing, especially for lower-income residents, but in Dubai, they're a big no-no without official approval. Authorities are taking a firm stand against these unauthorized modifications, emphasizing that safety cannot be compromised for convenience or cost savings. Scroll through Facebook ads for just a few minutes, and you'll find a shadow housing market thriving in plain sight. Partitioned rooms are being rented out for as much as Dh1,400 a month—often just a slice of someone else's living space, separated by thin walls or curtains. In Satwa, a loft bed squeezed above a cupboard in a makeshift room can go for Dh600. It's barely enough space to stand, let alone live. In Deira, partitions can be found for Dh650, sometimes higher if they come 'all in'—meaning free Wi-Fi, DEWA, and maybe a balcony shared with several others. For those chasing affordability, a 'fully closed' partition can go as low as Dh800 in some areas, or Dh700 for a single-person slot. The price varies by location and perks, but the bottom line remains: these setups are often cramped, poorly ventilated, and unregulated. Yet for many low-income workers, these hidden corners of the city are the only option. The question is—how long can this patchwork system go on before safety, dignity, and affordability collide? But the problem isn't confined to old Dubai's jam-packed neighborhoods—it's creeping into the city's most upscale corners. Take Dubai Marina's Jumeirah Beach Residences, for example. A British tenant, living in Dubai since 2008, who requested anonymity, blew the whistle on a four-bedroom apartment in Sadaf illegally converted into a seven-bedroom bunker, crammed with up to 60 people sleeping in bunk beds. Some are renting beds at a bargain Dh100 each, openly advertised on Facebook as a 'holiday home' — without a single permit. This isn't just rule-breaking; it's blatant exploitation and a disaster looming on the horizon. With no proper air conditioning, zero privacy, and fire exits blocked by makeshift bedrooms in utility spaces, the risk isn't hypothetical—it's a disaster waiting to happen. The consequences could be catastrophic. As Dubai cracks down on illegal partitions, the conversation around affordable and safe housing for low-income workers is reaching a boiling point. The challenge goes beyond enforcement—it calls for bold, creative solutions that balance dignity, safety, and economic realities. Some experts suggest government-backed subsidized housing schemes tailored for workers earning less than Dh2,000 a month. Imagine safe, regulated homes within the city that don't cost a fortune but meet strict safety standards—a real alternative to cramped, unsafe rooms. Developers could also play a key role – Builders can include affordable, purpose-built accommodations in their projects, creating a long-term fix rather than a quick patch. Meanwhile, flexible shared housing models—legal co-living spaces with privacy and safety—could offer a modern, community-driven solution that respects workers' needs and budgets. For those who can't afford Dubai rents, relocating to more affordable cities on the outskirts is an option—but the long commute poses a significant challenge. Some have proposed transport subsidies or dedicated shuttle services to ease the burden on workers' time and finances. As Dubai continues to grow and transform, safe and affordable housing for its workforce is no longer optional—it's urgent. The crackdown on illegal partitions exposes a deeper crisis that needs real solutions. With smart enforcement, bold innovation, and public awareness, Dubai can build safe, inclusive, dignified homes for everyone who powers the city's success.
