SHARJAH // Large-scale multiple sharing of villas is continuing despite an official purge and inspectors say they are finding as many as 15 or even 23 families squeezed into a single villa.
Officials say such cases, in which more than 50 people live in villas divided into makeshift rooms or apartments by thin wooden partitions, indicate the crowding problem is showing no sign of diminishing and the operation to end it will continue.
Last month, Sharjah Municipality cut off electricity and water supplies to more than 300 villas housing single men.
The municipality also issued warnings ordering owners and occupants of another 700 villas to conform with official regulations or face similar measures.
Mohammed Salim al Kaabi, the head of the security section at the municipality, said that although bachelors were still a big problem, he feared violations by families were a growing concern.
"Most strange was 23 families sharing one villa house and each family had two to four members," said Mr Kaabi.
Inspectors had found another house that was home to 15 families, he said.
"We understand the rent is high for some families but still we cannot allow such violations as they come with serious social repercussions."
The municipality had received several complaints about problems between families sharing houses that arose from cheating or fighting or were the result of suspicions of relationships between members of different families.
Mr Kaabi said allegations that one man's wife was getting too close to another woman's husband, or that a man was looking at another man's wife, had sparked fights in shared apartments.
"The families are using wood dividers to make apartments but this is also not enough for privacy. In one room you can hear all that is going on in another room."
This month, however, the municipality was focusing on the problem of single men sharing houses in residential areas and had been handing out fines for overcrowding.
"We also want to inculcate discipline among bachelors especially since many are sharing rooms with other people of different cultures or backgrounds," said Mr Kaabi.
"Some bachelors in their rooms are dirty, don't want to shower and smell.
"There are also those that strip naked in sight of their roommates without any regard."
Another major problem was groups of single men standing around in the streets and causing a nuisance to passers-by.
"If a woman passes they all look at her until she disappears, which is an embarrassment to some women, especially those from the Muslim culture," he said.
The municipality has set up a toll-free number (993) for residents to call when they see single men causing a nuisance.
@Email:ykakande@thenational.ae
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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The Penguin
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Creator: Lauren LeFranc
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
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On sale: now
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Director: Tim Burton
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Manchester United's summer dealings
In
Victor Lindelof (Benfica) £30.7 million
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Nemanja Matic (Chelsea) £40 million
Out
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Wayne Rooney (Everton) Free transfer
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What is 'Soft Power'?
Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye.
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength.
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force.
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
8 traditional Jamaican dishes to try at Kingston 21
- Trench Town Rock: Jamaican-style curry goat served in a pastry basket with a carrot and potato garnish
- Rock Steady Jerk Chicken: chicken marinated for 24 hours and slow-cooked on the grill
- Mento Oxtail: flavoured oxtail stewed for five hours with herbs
- Ackee and salt fish: the national dish of Jamaica makes for a hearty breakfast
- Jamaican porridge: another breakfast favourite, can be made with peanut, cornmeal, banana and plantain
- Jamaican beef patty: a pastry with ground beef filling
- Hellshire Pon di Beach: Fresh fish with pickles
- Out of Many: traditional sweet potato pudding
Five personal finance podcasts from The National
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Balance is essential to happiness, health and wealth
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What is a portfolio stress test?
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What are NFTs and why are auction houses interested?
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How gamers are getting rich by earning cryptocurrencies
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Should you buy or rent a home in the UAE?
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