It is common in UAE for the expats to share accommodation to keep cost of living at bearable minimum. Shared accommodation can be a blessing for low-earning expats who have to save for their families back home, but it also has its perils and drawbacks.
Communities where Shared Accommodation is allowed:
According to the 1999 Municipal rule “It is illegal for bachelors or singletons, either married or unmarried as long as they’re living alone, to share accommodation in family-friendly, non-freehold areas.”
Females, however, can stay in all residential buildings in Commercial Business District areas, as well as in residential buildings in designated residential areas such as Al Quoz 4, Al Ghusais 1, Hor Al Anz and Al Muteena, among others.
Male blue-collar workers can live in labour accommodation in Al Muhaisna, Al Quoz and Jebel Ali.
Accommodation legally marketed for female residents are generally scant. This forces the individuals to select joint living.
Dangers of shared accommodation in UAE
Eviction without notice: The major concern among the people regarding this illegal housing facilities is vulnerability. Living in sharing lacks the legal protection from sudden eviction. Unlike in normal rental schemes where one can evict a tenant legally after 12 month notice. But living in sharing does not abide to any rules and regulations. The sudden eviction does not grant enough time to seek refuge to another place or to look for another place.
Health and moral issues: Living in shared spaces is surmounted with many moral issues and health issues such as poor hygienic conditions offering many health hazards. Inadequate spacing, joint facilities poses potential health risks and crowding challenges.
Clash of cultures: The most frequently encountered problem in sharing accommodation is difference in cultural norms. As diversified people interact with each other, they tend to interact with their cultural norms and practices. People with different cultures often experience culture shock after a closer interaction of their cultures. Not only culture, it is like living with different personalities having different ethical principles and habits.
Compromised privacy: When sharing small area it is very difficult to escape from the person around you. This results in unwelcome interruptions and interference’s. Thereby, the ultimate outcome of compromised privacy erupt as conflicts.
Dubai Municipality claim that they only regulate and monitor flats to prevent them being overcrowded. Money matters are strictly between the landlord and the tenant. Abu Dhabi Municipality has issued a crisp cautioning to proprietors and occupants against congestion and illicit parceling of lodging units. Authorities said they are checking clogging in private neighborhoods to address unfavorable social effects and genuine well-being ramifications of congestion.
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