Dubai will run out of tent supply

Dubai Municipality is cracking down on families sharing living quarters in villas across the city. The news says villas (single detached houses or compounds) housing more families than legally allowed will have water and electricity cut at the end of the notice period. Notices have been given to these families to vacate.

But where will they go?

People from all over the world come to Dubai to work. Workers from the sub-continent of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and people from Asia (mainly the Philippines) are increasing each day. The rising cost of living and unreasonable climb of house rents have forced residents old and new to share accommodation with other  people to lessen their monthly expense and send money home.

It is not uncommon for a family to rent a two-bedroom apartment, have one room for themselves and rent out the other room to other families. With the demand of affordable apartments so high and supply too low, many families are forced to send their family members home.

“Service amenities like water, electricity and sewage are provided according to the affection plan of the buildings. When the residential unit is used by more families against the plan it becomes difficult to manage resulting in the accumulation of waste, affecting public safety and environment,” said the head of Building Inspection Section, Buildings Department, Dubai Municipality.”

Yeah the people know that but, shouldn’t the government implement a just and clear system to control the rent cap and supply affordable housing to the people first?

“The Municipality had notified the building owners and real estate companies not to rent out these premises to bachelors and to allow only one family to stay in a single residential unit.”

What thoughtless move from the government. They are obviously blinded (or playing blind) by the current situation of these people living in shared villas, the household income vs. the present outrageous house rents. The real estate bubble economy condition continues to inflate making landlords to fatten their pockets more and more and forcing people share accommodation never mind the lack of privacy in order to survive.

Figures:

A studio room in Deira (city center area) : Dhs. 50,000 (US$13,600) per year.

Two bedroom apartment in the same area, new building: Dhs. 90,000 – 100,000 (US$)24,500 – 28,000) per year.

A two bedroom villa in Springs (a popular expat community) – Dhs. 140,000 (US$38,000) per year.

Bedspace (one single bed space in a bunk bed, shared by 6-8 other people in one room!): Dhs. 800/month (US$220). Don’t say it’s cheap because the buildings are usually old and unhygienic!

The rents increase EVERY year. A two bedroom flat located 20 minutes away from the city proper that was Dhs. 66,000 (US$18,000)/year last year is priced at Dhs. 75,000 (US$20,500) to new tenants moving in this year.

At of this moment, Dubai Municipality said they will start to raid Rashidiya area and will expand through the other middle-low class communities in the next few days. How many other families, including small children will be forced to live in a tent in the middle of summer!!?

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Tagged as: Dubai, house rent, rent cap