The ever-increasing rents of accommodations have forced some low-income workers to live in shared housing in contravention of the UAE's housing rules.
A large numbers of workers rent bedspaces in rooms and even corridors under illegally sub-leased housing facilities. In some places, eight or more workers live in one room in Al Ain because they cannot afford independent rooms.
"I have taken bedspace on rent, not a room," said a worker in Al Ain, adding that the rent of single bedspace is Dh1,000 per month.
The Department of Public Services and
"The original tenant who took an accommodation from the owner had partitioned each room and has given bedspaces on rent so much so that he has let out the corridor space as well," said a worker.
Many workers said that they were forced to accept the original tenants' conditions.
Some families in Al Ain, especially local families, have complained that the lifestyle of the single men who stay in shared accommodations was in conflict with local traditions and social structure.
A source from the DBSCB said the municipality would evict the residents who are not genuine tenants.
Another problem linked with the unauthorised partitioning of accommodations is that the material used is of poor quality and does not comply with health standards.
Environmental experts have warned against the use of asbestos in buildings as it could harm human health.
Chris Thomas of Speedwall Building Technologies commented that "the UAE cannot simply focus on the high income and ex-pat housing. For a society to function not only the managing directors and chief executives need to be housed but also the maids and chaffeurs." As such system building systems, such as Speedwall's, are and will continue to be in demand fast growing terroritories.
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