Tough monitoring of properties approved to prevent illegal use in Bahrain

MPs have approved stricter monitoring of real estate to prevent illegal use of properties.

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

It would also ban the connection of electricity and water services without a relevant permit.

The amendments, which have been carried out by the Shura Council, 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.

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.

Criteria

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.

The legislation has been referred to His Majesty King Hamad for ratification.

Meanwhile, Housing Minister Bassem Al Hamer briefed MPs on new housing projects.

“We have the criteria to deal with people with disabilities when distributing homes whether it is one, 50 or 100 – all taken into account according to their needs,” he said.

“New apartments are being built across the country to the highest possible quality and we have initial designs for the seventh generation of vertical housing buildings which will be revealed soon.”

Parliament also voted to extend the work of a probe committee into housing projects and violations for two more months, starting from Saturday.

MPs also voted 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 and referred to the Shura Council to take a second vote.

mohammed@gdn.com.bh

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