Latest news with #AlShehabi
Daily Tribune
28-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Shura rejects plan to scrap property fees
The Shura Council has thrown out a plan to waive the 2 per cent fee on first-time property transfers and cut charges on gifts worth above BD50,000. The decision came yesterday after warnings that the changes would strip the treasury of income and leave the door open to misuse. A similar plan was rejected during the fifth legislative term. Those backing the bill said the move would ease the burden on families trying to buy or pass on a home. Housing ladder They argued that scrapping the fee for first-time residential property transfers, and for gifts above a certain value, would make it easier for Bahrainis to step onto the housing ladder. The draft, drawn up by the Council of Representatives, would have amended Article 59 of the Property Registration Law. It aimed to offer Bahrainis a one-off exemption from charges when registering or transferring a home. But the Public Utilities and Environment Committee, along with the government, pushed back. Goal They said the goal behind the bill was already being met. Today, Bahrainis who take housing loans from Eskan Bank are already spared these fees, up to the amount of their loan. That exemption depends on the person's financial standing, not the type of contract. Speaking during the session, committee rapporteur Ali Hussain Al Shehabi said the law already gives exemptions to those buying homes. He pointed out that a second paragraph added to Article 59 spares buyers from paying fees in certain cases, helping those most in need. Warning Al Shehabi warned that handing out further exemptions would drain the public purse at a time when Bahrain depends heavily on money raised outside the oil fields. That cash, he said, is steered towards running services and building projects to lift living standards. Al Shehabi also reminded the chamber that revenue estimates had already been locked in for the next two financial years.
Daily Tribune
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
New legislation to reduce early morning construction noise in residential areas
Responding to growing complaints from families jolted awake by jackhammers at dawn and homes 'shaking like earthquakes,' the Shura Council yesterday backed a law to curb disturbing activities in residential areas. The legislation lays down strict limits on construction, demolition, and excavation times while making exceptions for emergencies like urgent repairs. The proposal, reviewed by the Public Utilities and Environment Committee, amends Article 20 of the 1977 Building Regulation Law. Ali Al Shehabi, the committee's rapporteur, explained that the plan introduces a new clause empowering the minister, in coordination with municipal councils, to decide when construction, demolition, or excavation is off-limits in residential zones. Exceptions It also allows for specific exceptions during restricted hours. The committee recommended modifying the proposal to create a new Article 21 instead of simply adding to Article 20, reflecting feedback from government representatives and ensuring it fits practical and regulatory realities. The plan gives municipalities the authority to decide which activities to limit, focusing on those causing noise and disturbance, such as demolition or excavation. Urban areas It excludes quieter construction work and restricts bans to residential zones, steering clear of uninhabited or newly developed urban areas. Municipalities are also tasked with defining exceptional cases, like emergency pipe or sewer repairs, where immediate action may be required to prevent harm. Addressing the economic impact, Al Shehabi noted that the amended draft balances residents' peace of mind with the realities faced by contractors. Flexibility Municipal councils will have the flexibility to decide restricted hours based on local circumstances, ensuring fair and practical application of the law. Penalties for violations are tied to Article 23 of the Building Regulation Law, ensuring anyone flouting municipal rules will face legal consequences.
