Urbanco seizes merged Hiyaa apartments; gives notice to vacate

Urbanco on Thursday decided to take over two apartments in a Hiyaa tower by cancelling the agreement in connection with a change in the structure of the place.

When Urbanco was notified of the two apartments that had been merged into a high-quality four-room apartment, the owners of the two flats were fined MVR 200,000 two weeks ago.

When the matter came to light, Urbanco told the owners of the apartments:

Even at the end of these deadlines, the penalty was not paid as directed by Urbanco. The wall too was not built as it was.

Failing to comply with the directive, Urbanco decided on Thursday to cancel the contract for the two apartments.

Urbanco said it has asked the owners to hand over the flats to Urbanco within 14 days.

It is to be noted that the two flats of the Hiyaa were merged by Ahmed Shamaal, vice-president of the Hiyaa Union organisation, which works for the rights of the residents of the Hiyaa.

Hiyaa flats were handed over so that the recipients complete the internal finishing work on their own. Initially, people moved to the site and those who changed the internal structure were fined then as well. However, this is the first time it has come to light that two flats have been merged and converted into a single flat.

According to the work rules issued by Urbanco, it is prohibited to separate or connect rooms by demolishing a wall.

However, in social housing history, this is the first time a decision was taken so quickly for violating rules or non-payment of rent, and never before was the deal cancelled.