Saff_Parker

Hi guys,

Have read so much conflicting info. Is flat-sharing only illegal when too many partitions are put up and everyone is packed in like sardines? And when it is mixed-sex sharing?

Also - if you are in a flatshare, with no contract in place and just paying monthly rent by cash to the agent (who is subletting the flat on behalf of the owner), do you have any rights whatsoever or any authority to go to with a complaint if something isn't going right?

Cheers

Norm_uk

Strictly speaking in the UAE you are not supposed to share a flat with anyone you are not related to, especially someone of the opposite sex.

It doesn't matter if you have partitions or a duplex penthouse - but in most cases that get to the police it's people crammed into small places rather than a couple of western professionals sharing a two bed in the Marina.

That said it happens a lot and unless you're stupid and keep a high profile you're not likely to get caught.

You certainly have no recompense for complaining if your flat mates are giving you problems in a sharing situation. Agents know they shouldn't be subletting flats.

N.

scot47

Grown-ups do not share with strangers. That is what you do when you are a student at North London Poly.

Norm_uk

I shared with a friend for a year and a half when I was going through my divorce...shit happens sometimes.

Wouldn't like to share with a stranger though...or go to North London Poly.

N.

mentalist

It can be dodgy sharing with people you don't know. You need to check out the Tenants obligations under the terms of the Tenancy Agreement. If he/she does a runner, you could become liable for the entire rental or at least have to do a runner yourself. Better the devil you know.

Saff_Parker

Thanks for the response guys!

nonthaburi

Years ago , on my arse in London I was sharing a bedroom with 3 other guys . Wouldn't want to do that again though .

abi31

Resurrecting this thread in the hope of getting some more info.

Hubby is in AD. Four friends he works with share a villa in Al Reef. The neighbours have kicked up an apparently mysterious stink (no parties, loudness etc - most of them work away 5 days a week) and the lads have been served with notice that they have to move out within the week (it's unclear who has actually served them - it's not the police)

Are we right in thinking that as 4 guys sharing they haven't got a leg to stand on? They're very worried as it seems they'll probably lose the rent they paid upfront. And hubby is concerned as he was going to share with 3 other guys too and that option being removed could seriously mess up the saving options.

I know subletting is illegal - but is it not possible for all residents to be on the rental contract and therefore not be subletting?

Thanks

busybee2

sub letting is illegal, if done in the company name, i think it can be gotten around but they are cracking down on this, and how can you get a visa or a spouse visa if you do not have a tenancy in your name, and utility bills in your name etc in order to get the tawtheeq. also "sharing" is only allowed in non family areas in the past.

busybee2

and yes thats the risk you take you could loose all your money....... and this is why renting smaller apartments are more expensive than the bigger places...!

abi31

What's the tawtheeq?

Well they all have employment visas and did so prior to moving into their own accommodation so that's not an issue.

There's still the issue of whether it's possible to not be subletting by all being on the rental contract. That was suggested to hubby by one agent. Unfortunately the agents seem unreliable at best so now he's not even sure if that's possible.

Thanks

busybee2

tawtheeq is a new piece of paperwork required to show that you have a legal tenancy contract, which means one person one place, you also have to show a utility bill in order to be granted the tawtheeq this is to stop subletting, has only just come in so it really depends on when your guys got their contract etc, as next time they may have had an issue. i dont think you can put all the names on the contract as you would need to all have yor own place, dont believe anything an agent tells you, they tell you can live in local housing areas and you cant....

abi31

Thanks bb2

Maxima

What exactly are local housing areas? Places like the new built area opposite Ferrari World, or does it include places like Shahama and Samha ?

On another note, is there any other part of the world where so many seemingly normal things are illegal?
Sharing villas, washing cars, selling home baked cookies, using Skype,

busybee2

the local housing areas are yes the ones opp FW, they are new ones they have built, but the other areas are the ones as you say at shahama, samha, fahal, bahia, etc etc. these areas were gifted to them and so they are not allowed to rent them to expats.

yes you may think the rules here are somewhat daft, but then again, in other places of the world you would not be thrown in jail for using a maid part time etc... those are the rules and you live here so you should abide by those rules.....