News
Dubai boat show to focus on sustainable future
Dubai International Boat Show (DIBS) is set to return from March 9 to 13, uniting the global maritime and leisure industry and underlining the importance of sustainability with a range of interactive features and 34 launches throughout the five-day show.
Running at its new Dubai Harbour home, the 28th edition of the showcase is the Mena yachting industry’s first international in-person event since the Covid-19 pandemic. It will feature a high-profile, diverse collection of global marine attractions from more than 800 brands.
The show will solidify Dubai’s position as a global maritime hub with exhibitors from more than 54 countries coming together to showcase the latest maritime milestones in a region home to 12.6 per cent of global superyachts, the world’s second-highest fleet-to-billionaire ratio.
Visitors will witness global product launches from brands including Gulf Craft, Sunreef Yachts, Al Daen, Blue Gulf Boats and Al Fajer, and regional launches from Princess Yachts, Cranchi, Sanlorenzo and Azimut Yachts, among others.
“There is no better place in the Middle East to launch our Princess X95 and Cranchi 78 than at the Dubai International Boat Show,” said Salim Tayssoun, managing director, Princess Yachts Gulf. “We’re bringing with us our key luxury brands: Seabob and William Tenders, in addition to welcoming Al Dhaen leisure boats in the UAE, and look forward to providing our Middle East audience with an exceptional luxury experience and furthering our position as one of the leading luxury yacht dealers.”
DIBS 2022 will set the industry on course for a sustainable future thanks to a focus on eco-conscious product launches and driving important discussions on how the industry can give back to the environment.
“Dubai has proven itself as a future-focused incubator of innovation. The 28th DIBS edition, a firm favourite for exhibitors, will reinforce the Emirate’s status as a driving force of the maritime and leisure industry, with many of our key exhibitors eager to enhance sustainability across the maritime industry,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Executive vice president, Events Management, Dubai World Trade Centre, organisers of the event.
The five-day event aims to align with the UAE’s zero-emission targets by spotlighting solutions that consider eco-conscious trends as part of its make-up.
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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