Abu Dhabi: The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has launched the latest round of its awareness campaign 'Your Home, Your Responsibility'. The initiative is part of DMT's ongoing mandate to enhance residents' quality of life and improve community cohesion in line with the aspirations of the UAE Year of Community.
According to Emirates News Agency, the campaign aims to prevent the adverse effects of overcrowding in buildings by emphasizing compliance with the Regulation of Occupancy of Properties and Residential Units in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The campaign coincides with increased on-site inspections by DMT, which will enforce strict measures against violators and suspicious residences.
It underscores the necessity for property owners and investors to adhere to property occupancy laws and cooperate in implementing leasing standards. Companies are urged to provide housing for the lower-income demographic within approved accommodations. Furthermore, the campaign aims to enhance tenant awareness, stressing their responsibility to prevent violations of property occupancy regulations. This includes refraining from renting units with undisclosed contracts and ensuring that rental properties are registered in the Tawtheeq system and that all cars are registered in their respective Mawaqif zone.
Dr. Saif Sultan Al Nasri, Acting Undersecretary at DMT, stated, "Through this awareness campaign, we aim to emphasize the importance that landlords and tenants adhere to the law regulating properties and residential units' occupancy. This is to alleviate the adverse effects of property overoccupancy while safeguarding the health and safety of the emirate's residents." He further highlighted that DMT continuously strives to provide resolutions and measures that enhance the community's wellbeing, alongside the introduction of a long-term affordable housing initiative to bolster the versatility of Abu Dhabi's real estate market.
DMT reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the law through intensive inspections targeting non-compliant properties and residential units. Such efforts aim to identify violations to prevent overcrowding, as well as implement administrative penalties and fines ranging from AED5,000 to AED500,000. Moreover, repeated offenses will incur fines of up to AED1 million. Violators also risk additional fines and the impounding of non-registered cars for illegal parking in designated residential zones by Mawaqif.
DMT noted that it reserves the right to implement additional measures as necessary, including the suspension of both Tawtheeq contracts and accounts for landlords and investors. As part of its ongoing efforts, DMT is calling on property owners, real estate management companies, and residents to ensure compliance with existing rules and regulations.