For more than two decades, Azeem and his family have called a spacious apartment near the Deira Twin Towers their home.
Situated in one of Dubai’s most recognisable old neighbourhoods, the building was once admired for its generous layouts, cultural charm, and central location. “We love this place,” Azeem told Khaleej Times. “The rooms are spacious, the area has that old Dubai charm, and everything is in the vicinity.”
But in the past few years, that charm has worn thin. Overcrowding caused by illegal room-sharing practices and rampant partitioning has turned daily life into a struggle.
“There are flats where more than 35 people live,” he said. “We have raised complaints multiple times to the building management, but there’s little improvement.”
Access Denied, Frustration Rising
To manage the crowd, the building management introduced a new access system, issuing only three entry cards per apartment. This has led to another level of inconvenience for long-time residents. “When we have guests, they have to wait outside the main entrance until someone exits and opens the door from inside. It’s embarrassing,” Azeem said.
The situation becomes especially frustrating during peak hours. “Sometimes it takes 10 to 15 minutes to get the lift,” he added. “It stops at every floor. The building wasn’t designed for this many people.”
Still, the family remains rooted. “We cannot imagine living anywhere else. Everything we need is nearby, and we have been here too long to start over.”
Overflowing Buildings and Rising Tensions
Across Deira, similar stories are unfolding. In another building nearby, residents report sanitation issues, persistent noise, and safety concerns. “There’s garbage dumped in stairways and corridors,” said a tenant. “The smell is unbearable in some areas, and the atmosphere just doesn’t feel safe anymore, especially for our children.”
Residents also complain about antisocial behaviour becoming the norm. “People smoke and drink in the corridor. Every day we have an argument with our neighbours because of loud music,” said one resident, who welcomed the idea of new regulations to limit such practices.
‘It Feels Like a Hostel’
The stress is evident in another Deira apartment building located near Union Metro Station. Hiba (name changed), a mother of two, described sleepless nights caused by noisy neighbours. “We have had neighbours who play loud music at night, talk loudly in the corridors, and even indulge in vices. Our children wake up at night because of the shouting.”
Her husband added that even welcoming guests has become a source of discomfort. “People stand around in the corridors at all hours. It feels like a hostel, not how things used to be. This was a quiet, respectable building.”
A Business of Partitions
Residents blame the overcrowding not just on the tenants, but on the landlords and real estate agents facilitating these practices. “It’s not always done behind their back,” said Naveen, another long-time Deira resident.
“Some landlords know that agents will turn the 2BHK into 8-10 cubicles and fill it with 15 to 20 people. But they agree because they get Dh8,000 to Dh10,000 in rent instead of Dh6,000 from a family.”
This collusion between landlords and so-called “partition operators” is fuelling the conversion of residential units into unofficial hostels. Flats designed for families are now being marketed by the bed or cubicle, with basic amenities stretched far beyond capacity. Shared bathrooms, limited kitchens, and insufficient garbage disposal add to the chaos.
Authorities Stepping In — Slowly
The issue of illegal partitioning and bed-space accommodation is not new to Dubai authorities. Over the years, municipalities have launched several campaigns to identify and penalise violators. However, enforcement is often limited to inspections following complaints, leaving many violators unscathed.
A 2023 Dubai Municipality report highlighted more than 6,000 violations related to illegal room partitions across the emirate. However, residents in Deira say this hasn’t been enough. “They come once in a while, give fines, and things go back to how they were,” said Azeem.
Residents are now calling for stricter enforcement and sustained regulation to prevent landlords from exploiting their properties for profit at the expense of community welfare.
“We don’t mind sharing space with respectful neighbours,” said Hiba. “But when buildings become overcrowded, unsafe, and filled with people who don’t care about the rules, that’s when families suffer.”
A Cry for Action
With rising complaints and deteriorating living conditions, families are urging municipal authorities and the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) to intervene more effectively. Suggestions from residents include:
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Mandatory licensing and inspection for partitioned rentals
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Capping the number of people allowed per flat
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Hefty fines for landlords who knowingly lease to partition operators
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Dedicated hotlines for residents to report overcrowding anonymously
There’s also hope for legislative reform. “Dubai has made huge progress in real estate transparency and safety,” said Naveen. “But if family neighbourhoods like Deira continue to be overwhelmed by illegal conversions, it could have a long-term impact on community wellbeing.”
Holding Onto the Past
Despite the growing tensions, many families like Azeem’s are holding onto memories, hoping the situation will change. “We raised our children here. We know all the shopkeepers, the tailors, the grocers. It’s more than just rent — this is our home.”
But unless urgent measures are taken, Deira’s cherished legacy as a family-friendly district may be lost to the consequences of unregulated, profit-driven housing practices.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members