Dubai: Bachelors who share accommodation say that despite being evicted, they continue to dodge municipal rules by relocating to another neighbourhood. According to a 1999 municipal rule, it is illegal for bachelors to share accommodation in family-friendly non-freehold areas.
One of the main problems with sharing accommodation includes compromising health and safety standards.
The campaign is a continuous one that is carried out all year round – so after they are evicted from one building bachelors say that they have no other option than to look for shared accommodation in a different neighbourhood due to their limited salaries.
Robert Macharia, a bachelor, used to rent a room with two of his friends at a villa in Mirdif that cost Dh2,500 per month. After being evicted from his previous accommodation, Macharia continues to share accommodation with his friends in another area as his Dh4,000 salary restricts where he can live.
“The rent of the room would be divided into three, so each of us would only have to pay a third. Each room in the villa was rented out to different people, and in the other villas in the compound there were about three or four people living in each,” he said.
However, Macharia explained that although he did not receive an eviction notice he was told by the watchman to evict the villa. When he failed to do so, the water and electricity connection was cut.
According to an official at Dubai Municipality, once inspectors discover a residence that is used for sharing bed space, they immediately issue tenants with a notice to vacate the property within a day. If they fail to do so, the electricity and water supply is disconnected.
John Ryan, another bachelor, said that he used to share a bedroom with three fellow country men that cost Dh30,000 per year. The tenants would then equally divide the Dh2,500 monthly rent between the four of them.
“It was a medium-sized room but I had no other choice but to share because my company does not provide me with accommodation. One day, the landlord came and wanted us all out and we had only a few days to gather our things and leave. I did not know where to go so a few friends of mine let me stay with them, and I have been staying with them since. If I get evicted again, I will stay with people in a different place,” he said.
Another bachelor explained that with the soaring rents, it is impossible to live in a one-bedroom apartment if salaries are not hiked as well.
“The rents are soaring higher and higher. I stay in a one-bedroom apartment in Bur Dubai and the initial rent was Dh43,000. But now it has gone up to Dh50,000 for a one-bedroom. In this case, we are forced to stay in a shared apartment [and continue to do so] as we cannot afford to pay such a high rent,” said Sanjay.
