Apartment owners who refuse to pay their fair share towards building maintenance and other contractual residency responsibilities could face hefty fines in future.
A major regulatory shift is on the horizon for Bahrain’s social housing sector, with new rules for central owners associations of social housing buildings.
The proposed legislation aims to address long-standing issues related to maintenance payments, construction violations and financial accountability, ensuring that all apartment owners fulfil their responsibilities towards the upkeep of shared properties.
At present, there are no penalties, fines or legal repercussions for residents who fail to contribute their required share towards costs for keeping buildings in a good state.
Additionally, many social housing apartment buildings suffer from unauthorised construction modifications that often weaken the integrity of the structures and create safety hazards.
The proposal, put forward by five MPs and spearheaded by foreign affairs, defence and national security committee vice-chairman Hassan Ibrahim, aims to enforce financial accountability among apartment owners by introducing strict penalties for non-payment of maintenance fees.
The new regulations would ensure the regular collection of money to cover the costs of lift repairs, plumbing and electrical work, painting, security services and the general upkeep of common areas.
Mr Ibrahim stressed that the lack of financial contributions from some residents had led to severe deterioration in several buildings, making them unsafe and unpleasant to live in.
“It is unfair that responsible apartment owners who pay their dues are forced to bear the burden for those who refuse to contribute,” he remarked. “Some buildings have reached a state where essential repairs are impossible to carry out due to a lack of funds, which ultimately affects everyone.”
To counter this issue, the new regulations would allow for legal action against defaulters, including the possibility of monetary fines, court orders or restrictions on selling or renting units until outstanding dues are settled.
Another key focus of the proposal is combating illegal constructional or modifications in social housing apartments.
At present, some residents knock down walls, extend balconies, add extra rooms, or alter structural elements without approval from authorities, jeopardising the safety and stability of entire buildings.
Mr Ibrahim explained that such violations not only affect individual apartments, but also put entire buildings at risk by weakening foundations, blocking emergency exits and disrupting the original design of infrastructure.
“Many people believe that just because they own an apartment, they have the right to modify it however they wish,” he said. “What they fail to understand is that these buildings were designed for community living and changes must be approved to ensure they do not compromise safety.”
Under the proposal, strict penalties will be imposed on those who alter the structure of apartments without prior approval from the relevant municipal authorities.
This could include heavy fines of an unspecified amount, orders to restore original designs and even legal action for serious violations that endanger the safety of fellow residents.
To ensure compliance with the new regulations, the proposal also calls for more monitoring powers for the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (Rera) to oversee the operations of central owners associations in social housing projects.
Mr Ibrahim stated that the failure of self-regulation within many owners associations has led to the necessity of stronger government oversight.
“Owners associations were originally meant to be self-governing, but without legal backing, they have become ineffective,” he said. “Many associations struggle to collect fees because they have no power to enforce payments. Our new proposal will give them the legal tools they need to function effectively.”
He said that the introduction of these new rules would ‘greatly improve’ living standards.
“With guaranteed maintenance funds, buildings will remain clean, secure and well-maintained, reducing the number of disputes amongst residents and ensuring a better quality of life,” said Mr Ibrahim. “Additionally, a crackdown on construction violations will enhance building safety, preventing potential disasters caused by unauthorised structural changes,” he added.
“If we want Bahrain’s social housing projects to thrive and provide decent living conditions, we must act now.
“These regulations are not about punishing residents – they are about fairness, safety and responsibility.”
The proposal was forwarded by Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam yesterday to the public utilities and environment affairs committee for review.
“If passed, the new rules will require apartment owners to sign legally binding agreements ensuring compliance with maintenance payments and construction regulations,” said committee vice-chairman Bader Al Tamimi, who is also a signatory on the proposal.
“Authorities will also launch awareness campaigns to educate residents about the new requirements and the penalties for non-compliance,” he added.
“If implemented effectively, the new regulations will mark a turning point in the management of shared apartment buildings, setting a precedent for stricter enforcement of community living standards across the kingdom.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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