Turning family homes into rentals? Landlords may pay the price
Landlords who lease family homes for other purposes could face fines under a proposed law set for discussion in Parliament on Tuesday.
If a landlord knowingly allows such misuse, they would face a fine. If unaware, the responsibility falls on the tenant.
Municipal inspectors will enforce the law, with fines set by the local authority—subject to approval by the minister in charge of municipal affairs—and capped at the property's annual rent. The minister will also establish rules for leasing homes for non-family use.
Officials say some areas have been overrun by renters, altering the character of neighbourhoods despite existing regulations.
The Public Utilities and Environment Committee has backed the proposal after reviewing a revised version that amends the Real Estate Leasing Law. The legislation was put forward by MPs Mohammed Al Olaiwi, Dr Hisham Al Ashiri, Abdulwahid Qarata, Jaleela Alawi, and Hassan BuKhammas.
The Ministry of Justice has raised concerns about enforcement, noting that multiple authorities would need to coordinate efforts to track violations. The Ministry of Municipalities Affairs, which oversees rental registrations, has stated that it has no role in policing breaches.
The Capital Municipal Council supports the proposal, while the Muharraq Municipal Council has also backed it, citing the growing issue of housing workers in family districts—especially in older neighbourhoods where companies have been caught using homes to accommodate drivers. The council is calling for fines to be paired with eviction orders.
However, the Northern Municipal Council opposes the plan. The Southern Municipal Council is in favour, arguing that penalties would help curb violations.
The Real Estate Regulatory Authority has noted that the proposal aligns with broader rental laws, including property classifications and lease oversight. The Survey and Land Registration Bureau has not raised objections, aside from minor wording adjustments.
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