KUWAIT CITY, Oct 13: Despite intensive campaigns and strict legislation, bachelor housing continues to be a problem in private residential areas, disrupting the social fabric and threatening the stability of family neighborhoods. Between a law that is not fully enforced and a reality that continues to spread, violations are quietly expanding, turning the issue into a growing dilemma marked by randomness and neglect. Citizens wonder why bachelors are still allowed to live in the heart of model residential areas, despite laws prohibiting it. Kuwait Municipality’s Law No. 33/2016 explicitly bans the leasing of residential units or parts thereof to non-families in private and model residential zones.
Violators face a fine of no less than KD 1,000 and up to KD 5,000. In the case of repeat offenses, the fine may be doubled to KD 10,000. Residential properties found in violation are referred to the Public Prosecution for judicial eviction, and non-compliance is subject to a daily fine of KD 20. Areas where renting to bachelors is prohibited include Adailiya, Khaldiya, Shuwaikh Residential, Kaifan, Surra, Bayan, Mishref, Al-Nuzha, Rawda, Qurtoba, Salaam, and Faiha. Bachelor housing is only permitted in designated investment and industrial areas, and under specific conditions. These areas include Hawally, Salmiya, Farwaniya, Khaitan, Bneid Al-Gar, Mahboula, Fahaheel, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, and Sulaibikhat Investment Area.
In a statement to the daily, Deputy Director General of Kuwait Municipality for Farwaniya and Mubarak Al-Kabeer Governorates, Engineer Nawaf Al-Kandari explained that bachelor residences in private and model residential areas are strictly prohibited. The issue is being addressed through joint efforts between the Kuwait Municipality and the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Electricity and Water, with power being cut off to violating properties. The municipality has adopted several measures to tackle this issue, most notably Bachelor's Law No. 92/125 and Resolution No. 39/2019, which ban bachelors from residing in residential areas and require property owners to vacate such tenants immediately. Resolution No. 8/2021 also established an executive mechanism for enforcement in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Electricity and Water.
By Inaas Awadh Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff
