On August 19, Dubai banned 10 property owners from leasing their properties due to overcrowding violations.
Dubai law mandates that each person in villas and apartments must have at least 5.0 square meters of space. Exceeding this limit is considered overcrowding and a breach of local regulations.
Mohammed Kawasmi, a partner at Al Tamimi & Co., explained that the Dubai Municipality building code requires 5.0 square meters per person for residential or shared sleeping areas. For labor accommodations, the requirement is 3.7 square meters per person.
Net area refers to the usable space in a property, excluding common areas and building services.
On August 19, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) prohibited 10 property owners from leasing their properties due to overcrowding and non-compliance with safety standards. This action followed inspections by DLD’s partners.
The DLD stated that the inspections revealed repeated violations of overcrowding and safety regulations, leading to these bans until compliance is achieved.
Kawasmi highlighted that the DLD’s enforcement underscores the importance of adhering to occupancy regulations. Non-compliant landlords face risks such as fines and leasing bans, which emphasize the need to follow health, safety, and occupancy standards.
Maintaining compliance not only shields property owners from legal issues but also supports Dubai’s real estate market stability.
Kawasmi also noted that leasing properties without the landlord’s permission breaches tenancy laws and could lead to contract termination and fines.
Similar capacity regulations apply to other real estate sectors in Dubai, including retail spaces, malls, schools, hospitals, storage facilities, and factories.
In schools and colleges, each classroom must accommodate at least 1.9 square meters per student, while laboratories and vocational facilities must provide 4.6 square meters per individual.
