Source: The National
The cases involved partitioning and subletting homes meant for families to bachelors and labourers without authorisation
ABU DHABI- Jun 25:The illegal subletting of properties has led to 172 cases being filed against individuals and companies for breaking the law, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department said yesterday.
The cases involved partitioning and subletting homes meant for families to bachelors and labourers without authorisation. Those occupying the villas and apartments, located in different parts of the city, will be evicted, while those responsible for renting the properties will be prosecuted.
“Fines were levied against those who partitioned and sublet properties and they were ordered to vacate the properties and return them to their original condition,” the Judicial Department said.
“A number of those individuals paid only the fine, but failed both to carry out the evictions and to restore the property and now face being jailed for up to one year.”
The Judicial Department did not say how many properties were involved, nor where they were located.
However, it said that 55 of the cases required immediate eviction – within two to four weeks – as those responsible had failed to respond to several warnings issued by the municipality.
Sultan Saeed al Badi, under secretary of the Judicial Department, warned that renting a property meant for a family then partitioning and subletting it to bachelors without permission was considered a serious offence.
“Those who violate tenancy laws and take advantage of people’s need for housing face imprisonment of up to one year and a fine of up to Dh50,000 [US$13,613],” Mr Badi said.
On Monday, a man who appeared before a Municipal Court judge was fined Dh50,000 and imprisoned for 30 days for partitioning and subletting a property meant for a family.
The plaintiff, identified only as MMMN, sublet the property to bachelors and was in violation of municipality laws, as well as the rental agreement with the owner of the property.
MMMN had been told to evict the bachelors and to restore the property to its original condition at his own expense, the Judiciary Department said.
The department said the bachelors collectively paid MMMN rent above what he was paying the landlord, and he was, therefore, making a profit.
“It was decided that this individual [MMMN] should be imprisoned after numerous violations were recorded against him,” the department said.
“He had been given plenty of opportunity to evict the individuals that were occupying the villa that he sublet, to restore it to its original condition at his own expense, and to surrender the property to its owner. But he failed to comply with the directives of the court.
“When he was ordered to show cause before the court as to why he failed to comply, he failed to appear in front of the judge or to send a representative and, therefore, it was decided that he should be fined the maximum fine and be imprisoned for one month. This should serve as an example to all.”
The department said it was working with Abu Dhabi Municipality, Police Headquarters and the electrical company to ensure compliance with the law.