Penalties Proposed for Renting Homes for Non-Residential Use

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Landlords breaking family-only housing rules could pay the price—literally—if Bahrain enacts new penalties for improper rentals. A proposed amendment to the Property Rent Law would impose fines of up to a year’s rent on property owners who lease family-designated homes for other purposes without official approval.

The proposal, brought forward by MP Mohammed Jassim Al Olaiwi and four colleagues, introduces fines of up to a year’s rent for landlords who lease such properties without permission from the local municipality or relevant authority. The measure would also require the minister responsible for municipal affairs to issue guidelines on when and how approvals can be granted.

Supporters of the proposal say it’s about protecting family neighbourhoods and ensuring landlords stick to the rules. ‘Despite restrictions, some landlords continue to misuse these homes, affecting the character of residential areas,’ the MPs explained in their accompanying statement.

The proposal has also been referred to the Muharraq Municipal Council to offer their views. This move is seen as a way to incorporate feedback from local authorities who deal directly with housing matters and community concerns.

The proposed change, supporters added, is necessary to preserve the purpose of family housing and prevent landlords from cashing in at the expense of communities.

The amendment is rooted in Article 9(a) of Bahrain’s Constitution, which requires that housing laws strike a fair balance between economic needs and social justice. By introducing penalties, the MPs hope to deter further breaches and address a problem that has grown noticeably in recent years.

Landlords who ignore the new rules would face fines set by the minister, up to a maximum of the annual rent of the property in question. This, the MPs believe, will give teeth to existing laws and ensure stricter compliance.

The draft law has been sent to the Public Utilities and Environment committee for review, with a vote expected in the coming weeks. Proponents say it’s an overdue step to restore order to residential areas and protect the integrity of family housing.