I read with great interest the article “Homeowners crave for quality finish” (Nov. 24) by Sabria S. Jawhar. I think the writer has raised an important issue. Being an expatriate, I cannot own a house in the Kingdom but I know that construction companies don’t abide by rules and regulations and don’t follow construction standards set by the authorities. The onus lies on authorities as well, as they should ensure the standards of construction by introducing harsh punishments for violators.

There is another phenomenon on the rise in major cities across the Kingdom i.e. bifurcation of an apartment. Landowners divide one apartment into two to earn an extra dime. There appears to be no regulations in this regard. Due to this rising trend, many families are forced to live in cramped conditions, as they have no other choice. The rents are skyrocketing by the minute. I urge the relevant authorities to look into the matter on an urgent basis and effectively regulate the rents of apartments based on their sizes and other facilities available to the tenants.