Councillors have renewed calls for reforms to ease rising utility bills for extended Bahraini families living under one roof.
The Muharraq Municipal Council has unanimously approved a proposal to allow separate utility accounts and sub-addresses for close family members sharing a single home but relying on one meter.
Councillors said the issue is becoming increasingly widespread across Bahrain, particularly as married sons continue to live with their parents due to what they described as rising housing and living costs.
Mr Ahmed Al Meghawi
The proposal, submitted by Arad councillor Ahmed Al Meghawi, was prompted by complaints from a family in Arad where a father and his married sons live together in one property. With all residents sharing a single electricity and water meter, their combined consumption places them in the higher third tariff tier, resulting in significantly increased bills that the family can no longer comfortably afford, according to Mr Al Meghawi.
“This is not an investment property or a building rented to strangers,” he said.
“This is a Bahraini family living together as one household, just as many families traditionally do. A father is living with his sons and grandchildren, yet they are being treated financially as if they are operating a commercial complex.”
He described the situation as a humanitarian issue rather than simply an administrative matter.
“Families are already shouldering heavy responsibilities – food, education, healthcare and housing costs,” he said.
“When utility bills suddenly jump because several generations are sharing one meter, it creates real suffering inside homes. Some families are forced to cut back on essential needs just to keep services running.”
Mr Al Meghawi said the council is seeking fair treatment for genuine family residences by allowing separate sub-addresses and utility arrangements where multiple family units live together in the same property.
“We are not opening the door for abuse,” he stressed.
“There must be regulations and proper verification, but genuine Bahraini families should not be punished for choosing to stay united under one roof.”
The issue has already been raised by MPs, with Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Yasser Humaidan previously telling Parliament that the matter required legal and regulatory review due to concerns that some properties could later be leased commercially.
However, municipal councillors argue that safeguards can be introduced without harming families.
Mr Mohammed Al Meghawi
Hidd councillor Mohammed Al Meghawi backed the proposal, saying the pressure on extended households was becoming increasingly visible across Bahrain.
“Many young couples today cannot immediately afford independent housing, so they remain with their parents while trying to build their future,” he said.
“These families should be supported, not burdened with massive utility bills that place emotional and financial stress on everyone in the house.”
The councillors stressed that preserving the extended family structure was an important social value in Bahrain.
“Our society is built on family solidarity,” Mr Ahmed Al Meghawi said.
“When brothers, parents and children support one another by living together, this should be viewed as social stability – not something that leads to financial penalties.”
The council’s recommendation will now be referred to the relevant authorities for further consideration.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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