MP inquires into idle Waqf buildings amid rental boom

TDT | Manama

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Rental income from Sunni Waqf properties rose by 23 per cent last year to BD5.4 million, according to the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Waqf, which has been pressed in Parliament to explain its handling of idle buildings, unpaid rent and slow repairs.

The response followed a formal question from MP Mohammed Al Rifaai, who asked for figures on vacant sites, revenue collected, leases in effect, maintenance requests and arrears.

His queries focused on properties overseen by the Sunni Waqf Directorate.

According to the Ministry, the Directorate manages 465 Waqf properties, including 158 plots.

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Around 15 per cent are not in use at present. That figure changes from time to time, depending on the type of property and demand in the market.

Some land remains undeveloped while awaiting planning decisions.

The Ministry said income from leases reached BD5,434,368 in 2024.

The rise was put down to firmer oversight and new plans for investment.

Rent can now be paid through the BenefitPay app, by cheque or using a payment machine installed inside the Directorate’s office.

Electronic routes

A deal with the SADAD service was struck to open further electronic routes. Where tenants have fallen behind, the Directorate has attempted to settle matters without court action.

In some cases, terms were agreed. In others, legal action was taken and rulings issued in favour of the Directorate. Several tenants signed formal agreements to repay what was owed.

The Ministry said lease contracts do not expire without action. If both sides agree, the term is renewed. Rent may be revised, depending on the state of the unit, market conditions and the tenant’s means.

In terms of repairs, the Directorate received 2,768 maintenance requests in 2023 and 2024.

It said 2,655 were dealt with, and the remainder are either being handled or waiting for funds. Properties were grouped by the scale of work needed, and repairs were planned in line with that.

Where possible, the Directorate has given tenants grace periods in their rent agreements to keep units occupied while work is under way.

The Ministry said most evictions were not linked to poor upkeep, but rather to changes in demand or mismatches between rents and market levels.

A financial guidebook was drawn up to govern how rent is handled, how buildings are let and how upkeep is managed. Islamic law The Ministry said all of this is done within the bounds of Islamic law and the terms set by donors.

It added that the 1985 decree still forms the legal basis for its role.

This places both Sunni and Jaafari Waqf councils under the Ministry’s watch while allowing each one to run its own properties.