Up to AED 1 million fine for overcrowding in Abu Dhabi residential areas

Authorities in Abu Dhabi are taking further steps to combat overcrowding in residential areas.

A major campaign has been launched by the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority to raise awareness of the negative effects of overcrowding, which distorts the city's appearance and leads to security and safety issues.

The awareness drive called ‘Your home, your responsibility’ urges all citizens, residents, real estate owners, and businesses to follow the law by limiting the number of people per residential unit and housing workers in designated areas, away from family homes.

As part of the campaign, field inspections will be carried out in residential areas from the first quarter of 2023.

Any person violating the provisions of Law No. 8 of 2019 concerning the Regulation of Occupancy of Properties and Residential Units can be fined up to AED 1 million.

As per the Law, a residential unit is deemed overcrowded when occupied in a manner that is out of proportion to its area and facilities provided.

Residents can contact the municipal entities by calling 800555 to report instances of overcrowding and other breaches of the occupancy law.

The DMT is also offering a discounted settlement option wherein violators can pay 75 per cent of the total administrative fine specified for the violation if the amount is settled within a period of 60 days.

In addition, the DMT has established a grievance process where the violator can submit a request through the TAMM platform within a week of the reported violation.

#YourHomeYourResponsibility to protect the community and raise awareness on the impacts of the residential overcrowding phenomenon. To report these incidents, you can contact 800555@CivilDefenceAD@AbuDhabi_ADM @alainmun @DRMunicipality @ITCAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/JTJBXVGF6K

— دائرة البلديات والنقل (@AbuDhabiDMT) December 22, 2022