Abu Dhabi Forms Committee To Address Housing Grant Requests Before October 2018

The Abu Dhabi Housing Authority (ADHA) has recently unveiled a new initiative aimed at addressing the needs of its citizens regarding housing grants. A special committee has been established to process requests related to the conveyance of these grants, specifically focusing on transactions such as sales or exchanges that occurred before the 2nd of October, 2018. This move is in strict adherence to the legislation that was in effect prior to this date, with a clear focus on safeguarding the public interest.

From the 6th of May until the 31st of July, 2024, the committee will be operational and ready to receive applications at the ISKAN Abu Dhabi Centre. Applicants are required to present documentation related to transactions predating the 2nd of October, 2018. This includes contracts of sale or exchange and official evidence of any financial transactions that took place during the conveyance process.

To be eligible for submitting a request concerning the conveyance of housing grants through sale and purchase, several criteria must be met. Applicants must possess residential land or an alternative suitable housing option within the emirate. They must also commit not to sell this property and register it in the Real Estate Register as a housing grant. Furthermore, applicants should not be claiming another residential land grant or housing grant, nor should they have applied for a house purchase loan. Importantly, obtaining written consent from one's wife is also a prerequisite for application submission.

In cases where citizens wish to engage in an exchange with other citizens, they must adhere to the exchange criteria set forth in the updated housing programmes and housing benefits policies in Abu Dhabi. Similar to sales and purchases, written consent from one's wife is necessary for these transactions as well.

ADHA has made it clear that decisions made by this committee will be final and binding, with no applications being accepted after the 31st of July, 2024 deadline. Hamad Hareb Al Muhairi, Director-General of ADHA, expressed that the establishment of this committee aligns with Abu Dhabi government's objectives to prioritize public interest. He stressed the importance of swift processing and decision-making by the committee to ensure that all matters related to housing grant conveyance before the specified date are resolved efficiently and effectively.

Al Muhairi further clarified that this committee's focus is solely on cases that occurred before the 2nd of October, 2018. For any new cases arising after this date, the current provisions, policies, and benefits concerning housing in Abu Dhabi will apply. This initiative underscores ADHA's commitment to addressing citizens' needs while ensuring compliance with existing laws and regulations.

With inputs from WAM