Abu Dhabi Municipality Issues 51 Offence Tickets Relating to Occupancy of Residential Units at Musaffah

The Abu Dhabi City Municipality has carried out a wide-ranging campaign targeting disorderly accommodation and the thronging of residential units in Musaffah and the neighbourhood. The campaign was launched as a follow-up to the implementation of the law governing occupancy of residential units.

The campaign is part of the efforts of the Department of Urban Planning and Municipalities to contain this phenomenon and eliminate outlawed accommodation, as it constitutes a severe risk and considerable burden on all community members. It adds to the demographic pressure and the illegal depletion of natural resources, besides causing unlawful occupancy of such units for purposes other than accommodation; which results in a series of offences.

The launch of these campaigns stems from the keenness of the Municipality to maintain the highest standards of health and safety, and provide a safe, modern accommodation and living environment for residents of Abu Dhabi and suburban areas. They also help in raising the awareness of resident about the risks of disorderly living to their health and public safety in particular, and the entire community and the environment in general. Such a practice distorts the public and civilised image of Abu Dhabi city and the whole metropolitan area. The campaigns are based on Law No (1) for 2011 governing the occupancy of residential units in Abu Dhabi Emirate. The Municipality takes several measures to check and report violators as municipal inspectors carry out field visits to residential buildings to educate owners and security guards on the adverse effects of thronging residential units. Inspectors distribute booklets and leaflets containing general guidance showing the risks, laws and conditions for occupying residential units.

The campaign that covered Musaffah and surrounding areas resulted in serving 51 offence tickets where each violation carries a fine ranging from 10 thousand to 100 thousand dirhams. The Municipality refers such violations to the court without offering a direct settlement, and the judge will decide on the amount of the fine according to the conditions and circumstances of each offence.

The Municipality calls on all residents of Abu Dhabi city and suburbs to comply with the rules for their health and safety. It called on them to cooperate with the Municipality’s efforts aimed at controlling disorderly accommodation to enhance the health and security implications.