Welcome clarity on illegally split flats

For tenants unknowingly living in illegally divided homes, too often left to the whims of owners, new rules intended to bring clarity to the market are welcome.

On Monday, the Abu Dhabi municipality announced it will be introducing specific guidelines on housing occupancy and residential unit sizes. For tenants unknowingly living in illegally divided homes, the news is long overdue.

That's because tenants have been left in the dark on what constitutes an illegal partition, and what their rights are. In December, for instance, The National reported that authorities had informed building owners of such violations but not tenants, leaving residents with little or no notice when evictions were issued by the municipality. Landlords, meanwhile, held on to deposits and rent. These new regulations, if enforced properly, will consign such practices to the past.

Clarity and access to information are of paramount importance for renters and owners across the emirate. The practice of subdividing crowded residence has long encouraged owners to make as much profit out of their properties as possible. At the same time, it is an attractive option for low-paid tenants, despite the obvious safety risks - like fire or electrical issues.

It has already been announced that Twetheeq, a system for registering leasable properties, will be partly responsible for enforcing rental bylaws. Among the changes announced this week will be stipulations that no more than six unrelated adults may live in one independent villa, and a maximum of three people can occupy a single bedroom in a flat.

"We will track occupants," said Ali Al Hashimi, Tawtheeq project manager for the capital. "We will not allow leasing to occupants that surpass the allowed number in the residential unit."

Solving housing issues, especially disputes between tenants and owners, must be a priority for officials if a smooth transition to the new regulation is to be achieved. The new process is no quick fix, and compliance is a process that will take time.

While this process will eventually help curb the dangerous trend of dividing flats and villas never meant to be split, it won't solve the lack of low cost house options. Above all, alternative affordable accommodation must be made available for those who need it. But safety must be the municipality's first priority, and anything that ends the dangerous shortcuts found in many divided units is a welcome step.