Imagine returning to your flat after a long day at work. While lying on bed, your next door flatmate suddenly starts playing a loud music. And then you look at the clock and it is nearly one in the morning. Can you do something about this? Yes, you can.
The UAE is strict when it comes to battling noise pollution, and each emirate has stiff rules in place to tackle it.
If every night is punctuated by your flatmates’ loud music and late-night video call sessions, it might be time to take action. The first thing you must do is to talk to your flatmate. Request him/her to turn off the music or at least lower the volume as it bothers you.
Another option is to talk to the flat owner to remind the tenants about it. Now, if both options fail, you can call the authorities to report your concern.
While UAE law respects private spaces of its residents, Article 777 of the Federal Law No. 5 of 1985 specifically states that: “In the use of the leased property, the lessee may not exceed the limits of enjoyment agreed upon in the contract. In the absence of such agreement, enjoyment of the leased property should be within the purpose for which it was designed and in the manner customarily practiced.”
Should this still not work, you may file a complaint and if the complaint proceeds to the public prosecution level, the violator can be asked to vacate their flat on grounds of public nuisance, more specifically, for disturbing the peace in the area.
Aside from being evicted from the flat, a violator can also be fined, depending on the final verdict.
