By Joey Aguilar

Staff Reporter

A number of expatriates staying in partitioned villas are looking for new accommodation, or have already shifted to apartments, fearing a crackdown by the authorities in some parts of Doha.

The authorities have  launched a crackdown on the practice of sharing and partitioning villas. This has forced many tenants to look for new homes even if it comes at a higher price.

A resident who used to live in a villa in Matar Qadeem recently moved to a new accommodation in Al Hilal as he did not want to take any risks. However, his new residence is about quite far from his office and he also has to pay QR1,800 per month now as compared to QR1,300 earlier.

“The additional payment is for peace of mind and to give me more comfort,” he said. “However, if not for the crackdown (on the practice of sharing villas), I would have stayed there (Matar Qadeem) because it was only a few steps away from our office.”

A couple living with two children in the same area told Gulf Times that they, too, decided to give up their room in a villa and move to an apartment.

“From QR2,700 we now pay QR4,500, including Internet connection and a car park,” said the husband.

He pointed out that four of his friends stayed in a partitioned villa in Aziziyah as they could not afford to pay more than their QR1,200 budget (per person). Besides, he said the building was also close to Villaggio mall where most of them were working.

“However, they are a worried a lot now in view of the crackdown on partitioning of villas,” he added.

Some expatriate families prefer to live in a bigger (three or four-room) villa with others without putting any wooden partitions or extensions.

A Filipino expatriate said they usually asked at least three relatives or friends to live with them and divide the total rent into four.

Those who stay in a flat and share a common kitchen divide all expenses incurred on electricity and water bills, utensils, bottled drinking water and appliances.

“That is one way of saving more money; otherwise, it will ruin our monthly budget. What is important is that we have a decent home to stay in,” said a tenant.

For some low-income bachelors, bed-spacing is probably the most economical option other than taking a risk and living in a partitioned villa. However, others prefer to pay more to have more privacy.