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Covid: Sharjah drive against illegal housing expanded to flats in city

Sharjah - Inspectors have found many people living in one apartment and flouting Covid safety measures.

Published: Sun 7 Mar 2021, 4:31 PM

Updated: Sun 7 Mar 2021, 4:34 PM

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(Supplied photo)

(Supplied photo)

The Sharjah Municipality has expanded the scope of its campaign against illegal housing.

It now covers residential towers in various areas of the city. During inspections, the civic body detected many irregularities, as well as illegal modification of flats.

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The inspectors found many people living in one apartment and flouting Covid safety measures. “The municipality took the necessary steps and directed them to live only in the areas designated for them,” said Thabet Al Tarifi, director-general of Sharjah Municipality.

This came as the municipality announced it has evicted 13,000 bachelors and workers from residential areas designated only for families. The crackdown in the last six months was carried out by the civic body in cooperation with the Sharjah Police and Sharjah Electricity, Water and Gas Authority (Sewga).

Al Tarifi said the municipality continues to evict violators from the residential areas to ensure an ideal environment for families and preserve their privacy, safety and security.

During the campaign, the municipality disconnected the electricity and water connections from the houses occupied by the violators. It also issued fines to those found flouting the housing rules by making partitions to accommodate a large number of tenants, which pose potential health risk amid the raging Covid-19 pandemic.

“The municipality is keen to regulate the relationship between the owner and the tenant through the lease contracts to prevent both parties from violating the housing system, to preserve the aesthetic appearance as well as the safety, and privacy of families."

He noted that the municipality welcomes public comments, enquiries and reports related to housing rule violations by contacting it via the call centre on 993 and through its other official channels. The inspection teams will immediately follow up on such complaints and reports, he underlined.



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