FLATS owned by families in apartment buildings could be assessed by experts every decade to ensure they remain structurally sound, if Capital Trustees Board members have their way.
Owners’ associations overseeing the buildings would be obliged to obtain a certificate proving they have adhered to current building standards under a proposal by member Dr Bashar Ahmadi.
The aim is to ensure the flats are safe inside and out for residents or tenants and did not pose a threat to neighbouring properties or the surrounding area.
“The move is to protect families who own flats in multi-storey buildings,” said Dr Ahmadi.
“For safety reasons each home should be structurally assessed every 10 years, to ensure there is no risk to the occupants, their neighbours, surrounding buildings or anyone who happens to pass by in the street. It would also offer peace of mind to people who have bought their property on a 30-year loan and want to continue living there for many more years to come.”
He believes the necessary assessment per flat could be carried out by certified consultants at a cost of around BD500.
Dr Ahmadi, however, dismissed recent social media suggestions that the proposal would be implemented on all homes.
“If someone wants to assess the structure of their home or commercial building for safety reasons then that would be an option that we would encourage but do not intend to enforce,” he explained. “We are simply concentrating on the safety of buildings with multi-occupation.”
If ratified by Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Wael Al Mubarak, guidelines for its implementation across Bahrain would have to be introduced through a ministerial decision published in the Official Gazette.
Board chairman Saleh Tarradah said the suggestion would ensure people continue living in their flats reassured that all safety, technical and maintenance issues had been precisely addressed.
“The assessment will elongate the lifespan of each flat considering that the ‘structurally-sound’ certificate would mean 10 years of evidence they are fit to live in,” he said.
“Regular maintenance doesn’t always uncover structural defects, this assessment would guarantee that is the case.
“Imagine the risk families living in 60 flats per apartment building could face should, at any time, something internal and not visible to the naked eye, causes issues. Preventive measures are always better than dealing with the aftermath of tragedies.”
A word of caution, however, has been voiced by Southern Municipal Council services and public utilities committee chairman Mubarak Faraj who was unsure whether any change in policy would include apartment buildings owned by the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry.
“Does it cover flats sold on instalments through the Housing and Urban Planning Ministry to families in need?” he asked.
“Having families in need paying BD500 every 10 years may not be affordable, not everyone can buy luxurious flats in Amwaj Islands, Juffair or Seef where that amount of expense may be considered peanuts.
“There are people living in apartment buildings offered through government instalments in Salmabad and Isa Town and other areas that could not afford a BD50 bill, let alone BD500.
“If this move will help fast-track dilapidated homes and get them renovated at the government’s expense, then every property should be assessed. But, if it is just to make consultants more money, then people will prefer to do nothing, even if their homes are about to collapse.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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