MPs in Bahrain to debate tough rents law

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Bahrain - Stricter monitoring of real estate is being sought to prevent illegal use of rental properties.

Under amendments to the 2014 Rents Law, MPs want landlords and tenants to state the intended use of a rental property and obtain approval from municipal officials.

They also want to ban the connection of electricity and water services without a relevant permit.

The amendments, which will be discussed in Parliament on Tuesday, state that only residential lease agreements for families should be accepted automatically.

Rent agreements for ‘non-family’ tenants would require permission from Bahrain’s three municipalities and the Capital Trustees Authority and ratification by the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry.

If MPs approve the amendments, which have already been passed by the Shura Council, then it will be referred to His Majesty King Hamad for ratification.

Originally proposed by the Capital Trustees Board and backed by the government, the amendments specifically aim to combat overcrowding in properties housing multiple expatriates.

It follows a number of tragedies in apartment buildings inhabited by families and expatriate bachelors, mainly in the Capital Governorate.

Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Minister Ghanim Al Buainain told Shura members in November that there were already examples of special zones for labour accommodation in Bahrain.

He added that the government was supporting additional monitoring in residential areas and reducing expat bachelors there.

Meanwhile, Housing Minister Bassem Al Hamer is set to appear at Tuesday’s session to respond to questions on new housing projects and homes that would be carried out across the country.

Parliament will also vote to extend the work of a probe committee into housing projects and violations for two more months, starting from March 28.

MPs will also vote on two legislation that were pushed back from last Tuesday’s session in connection with a new rule that would entitle widowers to receive the pensions of their deceased wives.

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