Bigtaff

Anyone know the rules on 2 people that are married receiving housing allowance in their individual packages? Is it allowed or can only one person in the marriage receive it? Also, if applicable, is the answer you give a UAE ruling or any other Emirate (i.e might it vary across the different Emirates)?

The Dean

Two people working for the same employer?

Bigtaff

No, in different trades (not that it matters) for different employers. Also, just FYI and maybe not important but, one with a Dubai visa and one with a RAK visa - just to cover all bases

kittycat1

My understanding is that your housing allowance is just part of your salary- if you don't spend it all you don't have to pay it back to the company, so I would say no problem at all.

Blue Cat

it depends, some companies just give you a lump sum and send you on your way, others will give you an allowance but unless you can prove it is being spent on accomodation it has to be returned. Then there are the likes of us who get a villa included, so if I worked and attained any housing I would just pocket it. There are no set rules it is up to the employer

Bigtaff

Is that a 100% there are no set rules or a as far as you know there isn't? I can't find any information from an official source so just hoping you can kind of substantiate it somehow. More because I want to make sure I don't get in trouble rather than I doubt what you're saying

scrubbedexpat141

Bluecat is 100% spot on. Depends on the employer.

Some will say, here is a budget, go and find your place and we'll pay it directly, if it's less you don't get to keep the difference.

Personally, it's just part of my package, x,000 per month for living allowances - so it's down to me to pay as much or as little as I want.

Very much depends on the firm. At the moment it's easier and slightly cheaper to bundle it all into one big figure and send you on your way.

Legally out here - I don't think there are any problems with two housing allowances under one roof unless most people are living illegally!!

Bigtaff

Legally is what I'm after. We are married so no problem with being under same roof and I realise companies have different policies on housing allowances. I need to know what the law is so we aren't breaking it by accepting 2 housing incomes. As with most things here in the UAE, there never seems to be a clear answer until it's too late!!!

Patsy Stoned

There are no set rules, it is down to the company. If they include a housing allowance as part of your package that is fine. If they supply or pay for your housing themselves then they will pay direct.
There is no need to tell them that both partners get an allowance..nothing to do with them.

scrubbedexpat141

In that case, I wouldn't worry.

There won't be anything in the law to state you can't take two housing allowances.

commander

I get my house provided by the company. If my missus (heaven help) got a job, we would push for a housing allowance rather than have the company provide accommodation for obvious reasons.

If her company insisted on a copy of the lease (as my previous company did) then we would have an issue.

If her company simply gave her an allowance (with no requirement to provide proof of expenditure (i,e a tenancy contract) then we would simply pocket it.

Just make sure you do what is correct as per your respective companies.

ctfc

Hmmnn.. I've seen a similar situation a few times and whilst there is no specific law most Emirati owners at least take the view that you should only receive one allowance.

My firm will give housing allowance to married women but will cut other allowances if their husband is working - which is pretty outrageous to westerners but that's the way it is.

I would not raise the question, take the money and if you're of a nervous disposition keep it in a bank account until you move somewhere else.

Blue Cat

if you are given a housing allowance, to spend as you wish, then it is fine, if you have to produce a tenancy agreement that is a different issue. I have friends in this position only the other way round to yours. He has a company villa supplied with his job, she is given 60k a year housing which they use for holidays etc. Her Company have no objection to this as it is in her contract.

Meow

There is no legal reason to prevent this, but it is down to the employer and how they word a contract.

Meow

Correct. There isn't.