http://www.arabianbusiness.com/poore...ge-476646.html

Why does it matter how many people share a room?

[That should perhaps be 'Examples of Pointless Government Interference' but you know what I mean]

Call me cynical, but when you consider it with this recent ruling:

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/abu-d...e-local-472962

It's becoming bloody obvious that these rules are aimed at bolstering AD's overheated and now cooling down to reasonable levels housing market.

is it just me or does 2 million seem ever so slightly high for a population figure for abu dhabi?

I've not yet read the article but my instant retort to your comment Deano is that the sanitation and sewerage systems here do not really cope with multiple occupancy. Imagine the summer stench in a villa housing 10-20 occupants.

you shouldn't judge others by how full of shit you are

That is a very unpleasant and needless remark. Did you get out of the wrong side of the bed this morning?

it's not clear.. does it apply to labour camps ?

bet it doesn't

not really, i just couldn't resist

According to the ever reliable CIA they estimated the population of Abu Dhabi to be 666,000 in 2009, so yeah 2m seem an extremely high figure today.

https://www.cia.gov/library/publicat...k/geos/ae.html

Like the plan to make stop giving housing allowance to employees of government companies who don't live in Abu Dhabi this is surely just another ill thought through ploy to try and fill empty houses and apartments, of which there are barrel loads.

Yup. Of course they completely ignore the reason why they're empty which is that the asking prices are too high for what the market can support.

Official figures from UAE government made up. Surely not?

I recall in 2009, Dubai continually coming out with ridiculous figures that they were issuing more residency visas than ever and that the population was growing faster than ever, despite the economy being in freefall. It was all part of the state of denial to pretend there was no crisis. The problem with such things is that you can get away with it for a year, but after several years of made up growth, the difference between what you say your population is, and the actual figure is so big as to be completely laughable.

They keep talking about transparency, but if you cannot even put out believable figures on things like this, nobody is really going to trust anything else you say.

I've spoke to a couple of people at Etihad and they have had a circular advising them of the ruling and that it would apply to employees who are living in Dubai at their next renewal.

Maybe more than a plan (of which I also thought would never see the light of day!)

Did I read it here or hear it elsewhere? Can't remember, but apparently for visa renewals it is or will become a requirement to give evidence of where you live. Monthly furnished apartments could become popular.

Obviously. But it will reduce the fire risk too ... which is a good thing.

What is worrying though - will the hookers put up their prices to reflect their increased costs, or do you think they will... er, suck it up?