FDC imposes fines in 23 cases involving housing regulation violations

Fahi Dhiriulhun Corporation (FDC) has imposed fines in 23 cases involving violations of regulations governing its housing units, following the registration of 92 complaints and reported violations as of 5 November.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, FDC said the cases involved unauthorised modifications to housing units, subletting without permission, damage to common areas, failure to comply with instructions and violations of waste disposal regulations.

The largest number of cases involved alterations made to housing units without approval.

According to FDC, 44 cases of unauthorised modifications were recorded, with fines imposed in 14 cases and a warning notice issued in one. The remaining 29 cases are under review.

Unauthorised subletting accounted for the second-largest category, with 18 cases recorded. FDC said fines had been imposed in seven cases, warning notices issued in two and nine cases remained under investigation.

The corporation also recorded 16 cases involving damage to common areas and 10 cases of failure to comply with instructions.

Four cases involved violations of waste disposal regulations. Of these, two resulted in fines, while the remaining two are under review.

FDC also reported an improvement in rent payment compliance among tenants occupying its housing units.

According to figures released by the corporation, 3,432 housing units were paying rent regularly as of 4 November, compared with 3,362 units in the previous reporting period.

FDC reported this as a 12.2% improvement, although the figures indicate an increase of approximately 2.1%.

The number of units not making regular rent payments declined from 564 to 495 during the same period.

The government has allocated 4,000 housing units for rental through FDC, with tenancy agreements signed between the corporation and recipients before the flats were handed over.

Under these agreements, tenants are required to pay rent regularly and comply with the conditions governing the use of their housing units.

FDC has taken action against tenants who fail to meet these obligations.

Last month, the corporation terminated the tenancy agreements for two flats over non-payment of rent and instructed the occupants to vacate the properties.

The corporation's latest figures indicate that while most tenants are meeting their rental obligations, it continues to investigate breaches of housing regulations and take action against violations.