News
Around 2.7m children visit Expo since opening
Expo 2020 Dubai’s focus on children and education has boosted its visit numbers, which have soared to 19,009,065, up almost 1.6 million in a week, with 2.7 million children under 18 visiting the site since the event opened in October last year.
Expo 2020 Dubai’s virtual visitation numbers have crossed 180 million, driven by the diverse entertainment available via Live@Expo and extensive coverage of Expo 2020 Dubai’s Programme for People and Planet.
With just over two weeks left, Expo 2020 Dubai is looking forward to its legacy and the next generation of innovators – from budding scientists to big thinkers.
Earlier this month, the world’s youngest TEDx speaker, six-year-old Kiara Kaur, talked to an adult gathering on ‘Small Change Big Difference’ at the Mexico Pavilion and spoke across the site as part of International Women’s Week activities. Also, children visiting the Dubai Cares Pavilion have been designing their ‘dream school’ in a challenge to aid a theoretical earthquake-hit area.
On March 5, innovative young students and their teachers gathered at Dubai Exhibition Centre for the fourth edition of the Emirates Young Scientist Competition, which forms part of the National Science Technology and Innovation Festival (NSTI), showing off their inventions to create a better future.
DUBAI, 07 March 2022. Students at Jumeirah Primary School, Dubai visit the Sweden Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Katarina Premfors/Expo 2020 Dubai)
The Expo school programme offers four immersive journeys, allowing the students to embark on educational tours through the site’s three Thematic Districts (Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability) and pavilions with experiences aligned with diverse school curricula in the UAE.
On March 18, to mark Haq Al Laila, Expo 2020 Dubai, in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Community Development, will welcome children and families in a unique event in Al Forsan Park.
Haq Al Laila is a time of celebration that symbolises giving and is celebrated on the 15th of Shaaban, in preparation for the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan two weeks later. In the evening, Emirati children wear colourful, traditional clothes and go door-to-door in their neighbourhood singing a song in exchange for sweets.
DUBAI, 14 March 2022. American School of Creative Science, Sharjah perform during Expo Young Stars at Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Anthony Fleyhan/Expo 2020 Dubai)
For Haq Al Laila, Expo 2020 will be distributing 200,000 goodie bags for children, including crisps and sweets. A camel parade, comprising 50 camels, will entertain young visitors in the evening, while bespoke stamps will be available at some Visitor Centres and The Family Place. The Majlises near these Visitor Centres will have panels explaining the meaning and significance of Haq Al Laila.
On March 15 – Khaleeji-led jam sessions to showcase the best of Arabic music and culture – and novelty Filipino pop-rock group Parokya Ni Edgar taking the stage on March 18.
DUBAI, 14 December 2021. Children at Expo 2020 , Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Antony Fleyhan /Expo 2020 Dubai)
Expo Sports Arena is encouraging visitors to get involved in a Guinness World Record attempt for the most nationalities in a fitness class at one time on 17th March, or deep dive into meditation with the Dylan Werner Fitness Special on 15th March.
The final Theme Week of Expo 2020 Dubai – Water Week – begins on March 20. Raising awareness that water is a finite source and currently under threat, the week is a call for collective global action and looks at what we can all do to be proactive agents of change.
Highlighting Expo 2020’s look towards the future and emphasis on young minds, teachers and children will be among the honoured VIP guests at the Expo 2020 Dubai closing ceremony in Al Wasl Plaza on March 31.
News
Crackdown on Illegal paying guests: Dubai’s new shared housing law takes effect with fines up to Dh1m
Dubai’s new legislation governing shared accommodation officially came into effect on August 26. Applying across the entire emirate, including free zones and special development zones, the comprehensive framework is designed to eliminate dangerous, overcrowded, and unauthorised partition rentals while establishing formal licensing standards for communal living.
What qualifies as shared housing?
Under the law, shared housing is defined as any residential property where individuals or families occupy private designated living spaces while sharing common facilities like kitchens, bathrooms, and dining areas.
Who is permitted to rent out shared units?
The new framework strictly bans unauthorised subletting by tenants. A primary tenant can no longer rent out individual bedrooms, partitioned spaces, or bed spaces directly to roommates or third parties.
Only the following entities can legally offer shared housing:
- Registered Property Owners: Leasing spaces directly to occupants under formal contracts.
- Licensed Management Companies: Authorised operators contracted by the owner to run and lease the property.
- Licensed Operators Subletting Master Leases: Approved commercial entities leasing an entire property from the owner to sublet authorised units to tenants.
Penalties for violations
Authorities have introduced strict financial and operational consequences for non-compliance:
- Initial Fines: Dh500 up to Dh500,000, depending on the severity of the violation.
- Repeat Violations: Fines double for repeat offences committed within one year, capped at Dh1,000,000.
- Operational Sanctions: Authorities may suspend operations for up to 6 months, revoke commercial licenses, cancel permits, disconnect utilities, seize equipment, or order the direct evacuation of non-compliant properties.
Grace period & tenant protection
- Compliance deadline: Existing shared housing operators and property owners have until August 26, 2027, to obtain permits and bring their properties into full compliance.
- Protection from sudden eviction: If an operator’s permit is suspended or cancelled, authorities can grant occupants an interim stay period to secure alternative accommodation rather than facing immediate eviction.
Approved property/resident categories
The regulation permits shared accommodation across six distinct property types:
- Residential apartments
- Detached/standalone houses
- Residential complexes
- Mixed-use buildings
- Attached / adjoining houses
- Multi-storey buildings
Permitted occupant groups include families, single men, single women, university students, government personnel, and private sector corporate employees. Corporate and student housing provided directly by employers or educational institutions does not require individual tenancy contracts.
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