BAHRAINIS could be allowed an exemption from paying higher utility bills at properties inherited from their parents if a council move is given the green light.
The Southern Municipal Council has unanimously approved an urgent proposal by its chairman Bader Al Tamimi to extend this privilege to properties that are passed down by parents and are regarded as the original family home.
Such properties, known as ‘Al Bait Al Oud’ in local dialect (the big house), are often registered under the name of an eldest child – or inherited jointly by all children of deceased parents.
However, as they often have their own house, inheritors of the family home end up paying higher utility bills on their parents’ old property.
Current rules state that Bahrainis are only entitled to full subsidies on utilities at one home.
Mr Al Tamimi said some had chosen to knock down the family property to avoid the high rates, or rent it out as labour accommodation.
“Families have come to us wanting to protect their Al Bait Al Oud because it is rich with their memories and is the only gathering place that all extended members come to during weekends, national celebrations and other occasions,” said Mr Al Tamimi.
“They don’t want to be forced to knock down those homes and replace them with commercial buildings, or rent them out as labour accommodation, because of high utility bills. However, the bills are around 10 times higher than the rates they are paying at the property in which they live.
“It is a blessing if grandparents are still alive, since the utility bills can be registered under their name. But problems exist for Bahrainis with more than one property registered in their name, but who can’t or don’t want to relinquish their share in their main family home.
“Those homes are either registered under the name of the eldest living family member, as custom dictates, or under the names of several inheritors who are forced to select one property for their utility bill registration – at which they qualify for full subsidies.
“In some cases there are disagreements and pending court cases, which take up to a decade to resolve.”
Bahrainis qualify for a basic electricity rate of just 3 fils per unit (for the first 3,000 units of electricity consumed), but that only applies at one property.
If they have a second home they pay the same rate as expatriates for the additional property, which is 29 fils per unit.
Bahrainis with one property also pay a basic water rate of 25 fils per unit, but those with a second home and expats pay 750 fils per unit.
“There needs to be assessment of exceptional cases and subsidised rates granted accordingly,” believes Mr Al Tamimi. “It is the job of the EWA to conduct regular follow-ups to ensure there is no misuse of the conditions.
“We are more concerned about protecting families and ensuring valuable historic homes are not destroyed.”
Parliament’s public utilities and environment affairs committee chairman Khalid Bu Onk has raised objections against the suggestion, fearing that opening the door for exceptions could result in manipulation of the system.
“Most family homes are now being used as expat labourers’ accommodations and it is rare that gatherings are held in them.
“So it means that a property would continue being rented out, while inheritors profit from public money saved from reduced rates.
“A lot of people have left old Manama and Muharraq and now live in new areas across the country.
“We do gather in my father’s home, which we have kept, but it is occasional and the monthly bill is not that high, even under the unsubsidised rates.
The proposal will be now reviewed by Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Wael Al Mubarak.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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