Subletting Hiyaa flats: Law defines it as a prohibited act

Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muththalib has announced that the government is working on legislative amendments to curb the unauthorized subletting of Hiyaa flats, an issue that has become increasingly prevalent.

Last December, reports surfaced regarding a Hiyaa flat in Hulhumale' Phase II being advertised for rent at MVR 21,000. This follows previous instances where apartments in the social housing project were sublet for amounts ranging from MVR 8,000 to MVR 12,000. Additionally, information has come to light indicating that some of these flats have been rented out to accommodate migrant workers.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Minister Muththalib stated that under the current agreements, the government lacks the legal authority to repossess these flats, even if they are being sublet. However, he emphasized that such practices should not be permitted.

Muththalib stated that legislative amendments are necessary to take action against those parties. The Minister further noted that these amendments to the law will be introduced very soon.

The government is moving to establish a legal framework that would explicitly prohibit such subletting practices.

Dr. Abdulla Muththalib, the Minister of Housing in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration.

Following growing concerns over the subletting of Hiyaa flats in Hulhumale' Phase 2 at exorbitant rates, the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) released a policy to identify and take action against social housing units being rented out to foreign nationals.

Consequently, the public has raised questions and heavily criticized both the government and HDC, questioning how they were unaware that the original agreements formulated by HDC did not permit subleasing to anyone, even as they issued a new regulation specifically prohibiting the rental of social housing to foreigners.