ABU DHABI // The municipality has evicted the residents of 13 villas and other buildings, with a warning to others to make sure their homes fall within the law. The homes in Al Zafarana, near the junction of Muroor Road and 21st Street, were illegally partitioned or had unauthorised extensions, said Awaidha al Qubaisi, the director of municipal services. "We again urge tenants to make sure that their rented housing units are not in violation to avoid such problems," he added. He did not say how many people had been evicted.
Most cases were partitions found in older villas, but extensions erected on rooftops were also a problem. The municipality is compiling an inventory of offending buildings. Checks in Al Zafarana and Al Bateen have been completed. "Violations have been referred to the municipality court to take the necessary actions," said Mr al Qubaisi. He said the campaign was in the interests of the residents' safety.
The clampdown has been going on for more than a year, but, unlike Dubai, the municipality does not have a "one villa, one family" rule. Abu Dhabi Municipality requires all separate housing units to be properly partitioned and fitted with gas, water and electricity meters. lmorris@thenational.ae
