Applications for shared housing residency permits in Dubai have not yet opened. Dubai Municipality announced in a statement that eligible properties may apply once the relevant procedures and requirements are officially released.

Dubai Municipality confirmed: "Applications will be registered through Dubai Municipality's digital channels in accordance with the procedures to be announced." The authority added that detailed guidelines are being prepared to provide necessary transparency for all property owners and operators.

In March, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, issued a new law to regulate the management and residency of shared housing in Dubai. The law establishes clear regulations for permits, leasing, and safety standards, aiming to protect residents and owners while preventing overcrowding and informal settlements.

This move follows a series of crackdowns on partitioned and overcrowded apartments in several Dubai areas, including Al Rigga, Al Muraqqabat, Al Barsha, Al Satwa, and Al Rafaa.

What do the permits cover?

Although the application process has not yet opened, Dubai Municipality has specified what these permits will cover. Each permit ensures that the property unit complies with established technical requirements and conditions. These include the maximum number of permitted residents, minimum floor space per resident, and the shared facilities that must be provided within the unit.

The processing time for each permit and the associated fees are still being finalized within the law's executive framework. The Municipality stated that these details will be announced alongside the relevant procedures.

According to the new law, no person or entity may designate a unit for shared housing without obtaining a permit. This permit will be issued and renewed by Dubai Municipality in coordination with the Dubai Land Department and other relevant authorities.

New regulations

One of the most significant changes in the new law is that only the owner or a licensed institution can lease the unit. Previously, it was common in Dubai for a tenant to partition an apartment leased from an owner and sublet sections to others. This practice will no longer be permitted.

Shared housing permits will be valid for one year and are renewable for a similar period. Owners may also apply for a two-year permit. Renewal applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the current permit expires.

The leasing of the unit can be handled directly by the owner, through an institution managing the unit on behalf of the owner, or by an institution that leases the unit from the owner to provide it to other tenants.

Violations can result in fines ranging from AED 500 to AED 500,000. If a violation is repeated within one year, the fine amount will double, potentially reaching a maximum of AED 1 million.