For many residents of Dubai, the news about the legalization of co-living has been a source of great relief and anticipation. On Wednesday, the Dubai Municipality announced details of its February law that permits shared accommodation in the emirate. A detailed list of locations where this will be allowed was published on Thursday, including the areas of Karama, Barsha 1, and Al Rikka.
Mohammed Ashraf, a fitness trainer, reacted to this news with great enthusiasm. Last year, during increased scrutiny of co-living, he sent his wife and three-year-old son back to India. He explained that they lived in a villa with neighbors in Kusais, but after stricter checks, they had to move out. Since finding suitable accommodation on such short notice was difficult, they decided it was better for her to return home.
He noted that the family planned to return after Ramadan this year, but a regional conflict postponed their plans. Now that co-living is legalized and new rules have been announced, he considers it the best news of the year, expressing relief that it will hopefully make more affordable housing options available.
The law grants property owners and operators one year of grace period to bring their status into compliance, with adherence to the requirements due by September 8, 2027.
Maria, an expat from the Philippines, experienced a difficult time in January when she lost almost 4000 dirhams to an agent who promised her a room for co-living in an apartment in Deira. She reported that the agent asked her to pay the full monthly rent in advance, even though the room was supposed to be shared with other women. Three days after moving in, the landlord demanded she vacate the premises because co-living was not permitted, and he could face problems.
Maria spent days trying to get her money back through the agent, who disconnected his phone. She expressed satisfaction with the introduction of new rules in Dubai, noting that there are now no ambiguities and everything is protected by law, and also expressed hope for the successful implementation of these norms, which will benefit everyone.
Indian expat Sheenaz Hussain was forced to move out of her co-living arrangement less than a week earlier this year. She welcomed the change, believing it would significantly help professionals. She recounted that she and her friend had to leave the co-living space in just five days when the landlord stated that only families were allowed to live there. Sheenaz noted that this period was very stressful, but now sudden evictions are impossible thanks to clear contracts that specify which buildings are designated for individuals and which are for families, which she believes is a big step forward.