RIYADH, 18 August — Single expatriates staying in rented apartments may face restrictions in future if recommendations submitted by a six-member committee are accepted by the ministerial council.
The committee, consisting of representatives from the directorate of public security, the ministries of interior, municipal and rural affairs, public works and housing, commerce and higher education, was set up in response to citizens’ complaints that several buildings were being constructed for expatriates without families in areas where Saudi families were residing.
Construction of such buildings near houses belonging to Saudis has been creating social problems, according to reports appearing in a section of the Arabic press. The committee has, therefore, proposed that municipal authorities should neither issue license for a new building for single expatriates nor allow such expatriates to be accommodated in buildings where other families stay.
Another recommendation of the committee is that any building meant for single expatriates should be put up near a main road. And under no circumstances should it be located within 500 meters from schools and family quarters. There should be car parking facility for each of the expatriate residing in such an apartment. No residential unit should be less than 30 sq.meters, with only one main entrance.
The proposed regulations also stipulate that in fixing the windows due care should be given for the privacy of families living nearby. Each building should have a watchman on 24-hour duty. Each of the tenant should be issued an ID card, with its photocopy available in the office of the real estate agent concerned. Both the tenant and the landlord should enter into an agreement for the lease of the apartment.
The committee has also proposed a penalty ranging from SR 200 to SR 5,000 for any violation of the agreement.
Non-family expatriates, or forced bachelors, in Riyadh fall mainly in two categories. The first consists of those expats who are not eligible for family status either on the ground of their income level or the sponsor’s refusal to arrange family visa. The second category belongs to expatriates who had been residing with their families for a long time till they (the families) had to return home for the sake of their children’s higher education. The Hayyl Wuzarat area of Riyadh teems with expatriates from both categories.
In areas dominated by forced bachelors from the first category, no families have taken up residence. Nor do Saudis shop in such areas. As for the second category, their staying with families for a long time has made them known to other residents of the building as responsible expatriates who would not like to offend others through irresponsible behavior.
Moreover, the requirement that each new building for expatriates should be equipped with car parks and manned by watchmen is bound to jack up rents which few could afford.
This is bound to have an adverse impact on tenancy. Further, the conditions attached to the location and construction of the building would discourage expatriates from renting such premises, especially if they have to fork out additional payment toward car park and watchman.
