فيما حذّرت وزارة البلديات والإسكان، أخيراً، من تفشي ظاهرة تقسيم الوحدات السكنية بشكل غير نظامي، مؤكدة أنها مخالفة صريحة للاشتراطات والتراخيص المعتمدة، إذ تصل الغرامة إلى 200000 ريال، أكد مختصون لـ«عكاظ» أن الظاهرة تخلق تشوها في الأحياء السكنية، وتؤثر بشكل سلبي على جودة الحياة السكنية.
وأكد المطور العقاري أسامة باسلم لـ«عكاظ»، أن ظاهرة تقسيم الشقق السكنية بشكل غير نظامي أسهمت بشكل مباشر في رفع أسعار التأجير، وأن هذا النوع من التقسيم يؤدي إلى زيادة متوسط الإيجار للمتر المربع مقارنة بتأجير الشقة كاملة، خصوصاً إذا تم تأجير الوحدات عبر منصات التأجير اليومي، ما يضاعف العائد السنوي للمؤجرين، ويخلق تشوهاً في السوق السكنية.
وأوضح باسلم أن ارتفاع الأسعار إلى جانب النمو السكاني السنوي الملحوظ، أسهما في زيادة الطلب على الوحدات الصغيرة مثل «الاستديوهات» أو شقق الغرفة الواحدة، خصوصا من قبل الأفراد القادمين من خارج السعودية، ما يفتح المجال أمام ممارسات عشوائية في التقسيم لتلبية الطلب بطريقة غير مدروسة.
وشدد على أن التقسيم غير النظامي يمثل تهديداً مباشراً للمشاريع العقارية المرخصة، التي يتم تصميمها وفق دراسات هندسية دقيقة تراعي التحمل الإنشائي، وكفاءة الخدمات، وحجم السكان.
في المقابل، فإن التقسيمات العشوائية تُجهد البنية التحتية، وتتسبب في انقطاعات متكررة للمياه والكهرباء، وارتفاع معدلات الإزعاج والمشكلات الاجتماعية؛ ما ينعكس سلباً على جودة الحياة داخل المباني.
وأكد باسلم أهمية تنظيم سوق التأجير العقارية عبر اشتراط التراخيص وتفعيل الرقابة على المساكن التي لا تستوفي الاشتراطات الأساسية، بما يضمن التوازن بين العرض والطلب، ويحفظ حقوق جميع الأطراف في السوق العقارية.
لا يبنى بالجدران فقط
المخطط الحضري والإقليمي المتخصص في التشريعات العمرانية وجودة الحياة الدكتور عبدالرحمن الصايل، يرى أن التقسيم العشوائي للوحدات السكنية يُعد انتهاكاً مباشراً لفكرة «السكن كحق حضري»، كما وصفها عالم الاجتماع الفرنسي هنري لوفيفر، مشيراً إلى أن الحي لا يُبنى بالجدران فقط، بل بمنظومة متكاملة من التوازنات بين الكثافة السكانية، والمرافق، والخصوصية، والهوية المجتمعية. وأضاف لـ«عكاظ»: «عندما تُقسَّم فيلا إلى وحدات صغيرة بلا أي اعتبار للمعايير التخطيطية، فإننا نخلق مشكلات حضرية متراكبة، وهذه الممارسة تُشوّه المشهد الحضري، وتُخِلّ بتوازن العرض والطلب على البنية التحتية المحلية من شبكة الصرف الصحي، إلى المواقف، وحتى إدارة النفايات.
وأشار الصايل إلى أن ما حدث في بعض أحياء لندن الشرقية في التسعينيات يُعد مثالاً صارخاً على عواقب التقسيمات غير المنظمة، إذ برزت ظاهرة ما عُرف بـ(beds in sheds)، إذ قُسمت الحدائق الخلفية والمخازن إلى مساكن. وكانت النتيجة: ازدحام شديد وضغط على المدارس وانهيار في الصرف، وشعور عام بانعدام العدالة في استخدام الموارد.
وأكد الصايل أن جودة الحياة لا تُقاس بمساحة الوحدة، بل بمستوى الراحة البصرية، والأمن، والهوية، والخصوصية، مشدداً على أن هذه الأبعاد تُنتهك عندما تتحول الأحياء إلى مجمّعات مكتظة غير مخططة. وقال: إن المشكلة لا تتعلق بالتكدس كرقم، بل بنوعية البيئة الجديدة الناتجة عنه.
اشتباك يومي بالمواقف
المتخصص في التشريعات العمرانية وجودة الحياة الدكتور عبدالرحمن الصايل، يضيف: البيوت التي يتم تقسيمها تُستخدم بشكل جماعي وهي غير مؤهلة لذلك، فالممر الضيق يصبح ردهة لعب، ومواقف السيارات تتحول إلى نزاع يومي، وتصبح الحياة داخل هذه البيئات مرهقة نفسياً وغير صحية. فالطفل لا يجد ساحة لعب، ويعيش في تشوش مكاني واجتماعي. الأسرة تفقد خصوصيتها، ويصبح البيت مجرد فراغ يضطرون لتحمّل من حولهم فيه. هذه ليست مساكن، بل بيئات عالية التوتر، منخفضة الانتماء.
وعن الأثر الاجتماعي، أوضح أن الأمر ليس امتداداً للنمط التقليدي للسكن الجماعي في البيوت السعودية، بل هو تحلل تدريجي للعلاقات: «في الماضي كان البيت يحتضن أبناء العم والضيوف. لكن ما يحدث اليوم هو تقارب مشوّه: غرباء يتشاركون الجدران دون إطار ثقافي مشترك. العلاقة لم تعد رحماً أو حتى جيرة نفعية، بل تجاور جبري يفتقر للثقة والخصوصية». وبيّن أن هذه التحولات تُعيد تشكيل النسيج الاجتماعي دون أن يشعر المجتمع بذلك، وتُنتج جغرافيا مضطربة هشّة قابلة للتشظي. وأوضح أن غياب التوعية يجعل من هذه التجاوزات سلوكاً مقبولاً شعبياً.
وأكد الصايل أن القضية لم تعد تنظيمية فقط، بل ثقافية واجتماعية، وأن الأطفال أكثر المتضررين من هذه البيئات، مستشهداً بدراسة للمعهد الوطني للصحة العامة في أمريكا (NIH, 2023) التي ربطت بين الاكتظاظ وتراجع الوظائف الإدراكية، مثل التركيز والذاكرة.
من يملك الحي؟
المتخصص في التشريعات العمرانية الدكتور عبدالرحمن الصايل يستطرد في الحديث، ويضيف: أنه في بيت مقسّم، لا يستطيع الطفل أن يلعب، والأبوان لا يملكان السيطرة على محيطهما. كل شيء يُدار بالحذر. وهكذا ينشأ جيل لا يرى في بيته مأمناً، ولا في حيه امتداداً للأسرة، بل مساحة تهديد. وعن الحلول، أوضح الصايل الحاجة إلى ثلاثة مسارات: منع السلوك بالتصميم كما في سنغافورة وطوكيو، عبر وحدات قابلة للتوسع وفق شروط واضحة، مشاركة السكان في حوكمة الحي عبر مواثيق استخدام محلية كما في برشلونة وأمستردام، وتقنين السكن المنتج كما في سيؤول، إذ يُسمح بتأجير جزء من المسكن بشروط تحفظ النظام.
وختم الصايل حديثه: المطلوب ليس ضبط الأحياء من الأعلى، بل تفكيك الغموض، وإعادة تعريف من يملك الحي: هل هي البلدية أم سكانه؟
حاجة واقعية
لبعض الفئات
الوسيط العقاري المهندس إبراهيم بن محمد القرشي، يرى عبر «عكاظ» أن ظاهرة تقسيم الشقق السكنية تلبي حاجة واقعية في السوق، خصوصا لبعض الفئات مثل طلاب الجامعات، وأصحاب الأعمال المؤقتة، والسياح، الذين يبحثون عن وحدات صغيرة ومؤقتة بأسعار مناسبة. لكنه، في الوقت ذاته، لها أثر سلبي على السكان الدائمين لا سيما في جوانب جودة الحياة والتنظيم العمراني. وأوضح أن فئات متعددة تشترك في هذه الممارسة، بدءا من الأفراد ضعيفو القدرة الشرائية وصولاً إلى المستثمرين الذين يستأجرون عمائر تحتوي على 15 شقة مثلاً، ويقسمونها إلى 35 وحدة، لرفع العوائد، وفي المقابل يخلق ضغطاً غير منظم على السوق. إذ باتت الوحدات المقسّمة تستحوذ على نسبة كبيرة من المعروض، وغالباً دون أي تنظيم أو رقابة واضحة.
وعن الأثر على الحياة اليومية، قال القرشي: في بعض الأحياء نلاحظ مشكلات متزايدة في مواقف السيارات، وتكدّساً غير منظم، وهو أمر مزعج للغاية ويمسّ جودة الحياة، لكن هناك خطوات فعلية لتنظيم هذه الممارسات العشوائية.
نظرة إلى التجربة السنغافورية
المحامي المستشار في الحوكمة تركي القحطاني قال لـ«عكاظ» إن تقسيم الشقق السكنية إلى وحدات صغيرة بغرض التأجير المنفصل أصبح مقلقاً من النواحي القانونية والعمرانية والاجتماعية، مؤكداً أن الظاهرة تمثل مخالفة صريحة لأنظمة وزارة البلديات والإسكان، وتُعرّض مرتكبيها لعقوبات صارمة، فالتعديلات الداخلية التي تتم دون ترخيص، تحمل مخاطر إنشائية جسيمة كاحتمالات اندلاع الحرائق أو انهيار الجدران؛ بسبب تجاوز طاقة التحمل في البنية الأساسية للمبنى، وعقود الإيجار في مثل هذه الحالات كثيراً ما تكون غير مسجلة في شبكة (إيجار) ما يُعد خرقاً مباشراً للأنظمة.
وأشار القحطاني إلى أن الظاهرة تُسهم في خلق بيئات سكنية غير متجانسة، مع اكتظاظ في وحدات غير مهيأة لاستيعاب أعداد كبيرة من السكان؛ ما يرفع معدلات الضوضاء، ويؤثر على جودة الحياة، ويزيد العبء على الخدمات البلدية والبنية التحتية.
واستشهد القحطاني بتجربة سنغافورة كنموذج ناجح في معالجة هذه الظاهرة، إذ يُمنع تقسيم الوحدات السكنية دون ترخيص، ويُحدد حد أدنى للمساحة المطلوبة لكل مستأجر، كما يتم ربط عقود الإيجار بالضرائب العقارية، في إطار رقابي متكامل يضمن التنظيم والعدالة.
واختتم القحطاني تصريحه بالتأكيد على أن تقسيم الشقق ليس مجرد مخالفة، بل قضية حضرية تمس سلامة المجتمع واستقرار السوق العقارية، داعياً إلى تفعيل أدوات الرقابة الإلكترونية وربطها بنظام إيجار وإشراك المطورين العقاريين في تصميم وحدات تلبي حاجة السوق ضمن الأطر النظامية وتكثيف الحملات التوعوية للتأكيد على أن السكن الآمن المنظم هو حق ومسؤولية في آنٍ واحد.
انقلوا القصص الحقيقية
الباحث في الإعلام الرقمي وتكنولوجيا الاتصال مترك بن شفلوت، رأى عبر «عكاظ»، أن الكثير من الناس لا يدركون أضرار ظاهرة تقسيم الشقق السكنية، إلا حين يعيشون التجربة بأنفسهم، سواء من ناحية الازدحام داخل الأحياء أو ضعف البنية التحتية أو حتى المشكلات الأمنية التي تظهر تدريجياً. وأشار ابن شفلوت إلى أن التوعية المجتمعية عبر الإعلام الرقمي يمكن أن تلعب دوراً جوهرياً في هذا الملف «نحتاج إلى توظيف وسائل مرئية أكثر فاعلية مثل الرسوم التوضيحية والإنفوغرافيك، والفيديوهات القصيرة التي تُظهر كيف يؤثر التقسيم العشوائي على المدارس، والنظافة العامة، والطرق، وغيرها من مرافق البنية التحتية».
واقترح ابن شلفوت أن تُعرض قصص حقيقية لسكان تضرروا فعلياً من هذه الممارسات «عندما يرى المتلقي شهادة واقعية لأسرة تعيش في وحدة سكنية مقسّمة وتعاني من ضعف الخصوصية أو مشكلات في الصرف الصحي مثلا، سيكون تأثير الرسالة أعمق بكثير من مجرد نص مكتوب».
وانتقد ابن شفلوت بعض المؤثرين في مواقع التواصل الاجتماعي الذين يروّجون للشقق الصغيرة والمقسّمة دون التطرق إلى الأضرار، مؤكداً أن هذا الترويج قد يدفع بعض الأشخاص لاتخاذ قرارات سكنية غير مدروسة. ومن المهم توجيه المؤثرين لتقديم محتوى متوازن، أو على الأقل موازنة الصورة عبر حملات إعلامية مضادة تبيّن الواقع والمخاطر. وأوضح أن القصص القصيرة والفيديوهات التوثيقية تُعد من أقوى الأساليب التوعوية في الإعلام الرقمي لأنها تلامس مشاعر الناس وتنقل التأثير الواقعي بسرعة ووضوح، لا سيما حين تكون صادقة وتعرض الأسباب والبدائل، مشدداً على أهمية أن تُروى القصة من زاوية إنسانية، تُظهر كيف تأثرت الأسرة من الناحية الصحية أو النفسية أو الاجتماعية، ولماذا اضطرت لهذا النوع من السكن، مع تقديم الحلول الممكنة «الإعلام الرقمي اليوم يملك أدوات قوية وقادرة على صنع الوعي، ومن واجبه أن يستخدمها لنقل الصورة الحقيقية حول خطر السكن المقسم، بأسلوب بصري مؤثر، يساعد الناس على اتخاذ قرارات سكنية مدروسة تصب في مصلحة الفرد والمجتمع».
حلول مرنة لمواجهة الشح
الوسيط صانع المحتوى العقاري خالد خليل، استعرض عبر «عكاظ» التحديث الأخير الذي أجرته منصة (إيجار) في ما يخص الوسطاء العقاريين، مشيراً إلى أن التحديث يمنع تعديل عدد الوحدات بعد تسجيلها واعتمادها، وضرب مثالاً واقعياً بقوله: إذا سجل أحد الوسطاء 10 وحدات وفق تصريح رسمي فلن يتمكن من إضافة وحدة جديدة بعد ذلك، حتى إن كانت موجودة فعلياً، لأن المنصة تُغلق التعديل فور وصول الحد المُعتمد.
وهذا الإجراء يؤكد أن العمل يتم بناء على تصريح رسمي صادر من الأمانة أو البلدية، ما يجعل تسجيل الوحدات إجراءً مشروعاً ونظامياً. غير أن الإشكالية تظهر عند محاولة إضافة وحدات ناتجة عن تقسيم داخلي غير مصرح به، ما يُعد مخالفة صريحة للأنظمة البلدية والتنظيمية. ويتساءل خليل: هل تم وضع ضوابط واضحة للتعامل مع الحالات القائمة التي تتجاوز عدد الوحدات المصرّح بها؟ وماذا عمن قام بتقسيم شقته وأبرم عقوداً سارية قبل التحديث هل يُعتبر مخالفاً رغم أن الوضع كان مقبولاً وقتها؟ وهل ستكون هناك مهلة تصحيحية منصفة تمكّن الملاك من إعادة ترتيب أوضاعهم قبل تطبيق الجزاءات؟
وأكد أن كثيراً من الحالات الميدانية لا تنطلق من نية المخالفة، بل من واقع سكني يفرض حلولاً مرنة لمواجهة شح المعروض وارتفاع الأسعار، خصوصاً في مدن مثل المدينة المنورة التي تعاني من طلب مرتفع على الوحدات الصغيرة.
اشركوا أصحاب
المصلحة في الحلول
خالد خليل يضيف: إذا كانت الجهات التنظيمية تعتبر التقسيم غير المصرح به مخالفة، فإن الحل لا يكون بالإيقاف الفوري، بل بوضع خارطة طريق واضحة للملاك والوسطاء: هل نلغي العقود؟ هل نعيد التأهيل؟ ما مصير التصاريح السابقة؟ وكيف نوازن بين التنظيم وحاجة السوق؟
ويطرح خليل تساؤلاً مهماً حول مصير المستثمر الصغير الذي دخل في مشاريع الشقق المفروشة بنظام الشقق المخدومة، ويتساءل: هل القرار الجديد يحمي المستثمر الصغير الذي دفع كامل مدخراته للدخول في هذا القطاع؟ وماذا إذا تم فسخ عقده من قِبل المالك الأساسي بسبب التقسيم هل سيكون قادراً على الاستمرار في مشروعه أو حتى تغطية إيجار الوحدة؟ مشدداً على أن غياب إجابات واضحة في هذا الجانب قد يؤدي إلى خسائر مالية واجتماعية كبيرة لفئة واسعة من المستثمرين الأفراد.
وختم خليل حديثه لـ«عكاظ»: بالدعوة إلى إشراك أصحاب العلاقة في رسم الحلول، ووضع آليات انتقال عادلة تضمن الحماية وتعيد التوازن للسوق العقارية دون الإضرار بالحقوق القائمة.
ليست كلها سلبية !
الخبير العقاري المقيم المعتمد سعد التويم قال لـ«عكاظ»: إن تقسيم الشقق إلى وحدات صغيرة ليس بالضرورة ظاهرة سلبية، بل انعكاس مباشر لتحوّلات السوق وتغير أولويات الطلب، خصوصاً لدى شرائح لم تتم خدمتها بشكل كافٍ حتى الآن، مثل الأفراد، العزاب، وذوي الدخل المحدود. وأكد أن المشكلة ليست في وجود هذا النمط من العرض، بل في غياب التنظيم الذي يضمن سلامة التنفيذ وجودة الاستخدام. وأوضح التويم أن السبب الرئيسي لانتشار الظاهرة يعود لضعف القدرة الشرائية لدى فئات واسعة من الباحثين عن السكن، ما يجعل الوحدة الصغيرة خياراً واقعياً وضرورياً، وفي رغبة بعض المستثمرين تعظيم العائد الاستثماري من خلال استغلال المساحات بأقصى قدر ممكن عبر تقسيمها لعدد أكبر من المستأجرين.
وأكد أن تقسيم الشقق، رغم سلبياته، يُسهم في خفض تكلفة السكن على الأفراد، لكنه في الوقت ذاته قد يؤدي إلى تضخيم غير متوازن في العائد الاستثماري في بعض المواقع، ما يرفع سقف الإيجارات مستقبلاً ويؤثر سلباً على عدالة السوق، واصفاً إياه بـ«السيف ذو الحدين»، الذي يتطلب تنظيماً ورقابةً دقيقةً بدلاً من الإلغاء المطلق. وبيّن التويم أن الخطورة لا تكمن في التقسيم ذاته، بل في تنفيذه دون اشتراطات هندسية واضحة، إذ يؤدي ذلك إلى مشكلات في التهوية، نقص المواقف، ضغط على البنية التحتية، وكثافة سكانية غير محسوبة، مما ينعكس سلباً على جودة الحياة داخل الأحياء السكنية.
والحل ليس في المنع التام، بل في ضبط المساحات، والاستخدامات، وعدد الوحدات داخل العقار، وفق معايير مدروسة تحفظ حقوق الجميع.
وأشار التويم إلى أن الجهات التنظيمية، وعلى رأسها وزارة البلديات والإسكان ومنصة «بلدي»، بدأت بخطوات إصلاحية مهمة، لكنها لا تزال بحاجة إلى مزيد من التفعيل والدقة في تطبيق الأنظمة، خصوصاً في ظل الواقع المتغير للسوق العقارية السعودية. واختتم التويم حديثه بتقديم مقترح عملي يسمح بالتقسيم ضمن معايير واضحة وملزمة، تشمل: تحديد الحد الأدنى لمساحة كل وحدة سكنية وتحديد عدد الوحدات المسموح بها في كل عقار وتوفير مواقف سيارات كافية والالتزام باشتراطات التهوية والسلامة الهندسية وتسجيل جميع العقود رسميا في شبكة (إيجار) لضمان التوثيق والاستخدام السليم.
فوضى وقلق وتوجس
أكد اللواء المتقاعد المستشار الأمني عبدالعزيز القحطاني لـ«عكاظ»، أن ظاهرة تقسيم الشقق إلى وحدات سكنية صغيرة لا تُعد مجرد ظاهرة عابرة، بل تمثّل مشكلة حقيقية تتطلب التعامل الحازم والجاد وفق الأنظمة والقوانين، لما لها من آثار سلبية متراكمة تمس العقار والمجتمع والأمن العام.
وأولى هذه الآثار تنعكس على العقار ذاته، إذ يؤدي هذا النوع من التقسيم إلى زيادة الضغط على البنية التحتية كالكهرباء، والمياه، والصرف الصحي، فضلاً عن إضعاف التماسك الإنشائي للمبنى بسبب التعديلات غير النظامية، مما يؤثر بشكل مباشر على جودة الحياة وسلامة السكان.
وأشار اللواء المتقاعد القحطاني إلى أن الأثر الثاني يتمثّل في الإضرار بالنسيج الاجتماعي للأحياء، إذ يقطن الشقق المقسّمة أفراد لا يُعرف عددهم الحقيقي، وغالبا ما يُسجل العقد باسم شخص واحد فقط دون الإفصاح عن بقية السكان ما يخلق بيئة من الفوضى والقلق الاجتماعي والتوجس من المجهول، ويؤثر على شعور السكان بالأمان والاستقرار داخل حيّهم. أما الأثر الثالث وهو الأهم، بحسب تعبيره، فهو المتعلق بالأمن والسلامة العامة، إذ تُضيف هذه الممارسات عبئاً مضاعفاً على الجهات الأمنية التي تضطر إلى متابعة ومراقبة نشاطات مجهولة الهوية داخل وحدات سكنية قد تُستغل في أنشطة غير قانونية أو مشبوهة.
ولفت القحطاني إلى أن الدافع الأساسي لبعض الملاك هو تعظيم الأرباح المالية على حساب الأنظمة وجودة الحي، وهو ما يؤثر سلباً على القيمة السوقية للعقار والموقع، ويجعل من الحي مستقبلاً غير مرغوب السكن فيه، مما يزيد من اتساع دائرة الضرر على الجميع. وشدّد على أهمية توعية المجتمع، سواء الملاك أو المستأجرين، بمخاطر التقسيم العشوائي، وأهمية الالتزام الصارم بالقوانين والأنظمة البلدية والتنظيمية، داعياً الجهات المختصة إلى تكثيف الجولات الميدانية وضبط المخالفات وفرض العقوبات الرادعة بحق المتجاوزين.
كما دعا اللواء المتقاعد القحطاني إلى تعزيز التعاون المجتمعي من خلال استخدام منصات الإبلاغ الرسمية التي وفرتها الجهات الأمنية والتنظيمية، لتسهيل عملية رصد المخالفات والحد من انتشار هذه الممارسات غير النظامية «إذا تحقق التنسيق الفعّال بين الجهات الأمنية والجهات العقارية والمواطنين، وتم تطبيق الأنظمة بصرامة، وإصدار العقوبات الرادعة، فإن هذه المشكلة ستتلاشى تدريجيا حتى تختفي تماماً».
اقتصاديون لـ«عكاظ»: تُهدد النسيج العمراني.. المالك ملزم بالتصحيح
وحدات سكنية تشوه «جودة الحياة»!
26 سبتمبر 2025 - 01:22
|
آخر تحديث 26 سبتمبر 2025 - 01:22
تابع قناة عكاظ على الواتساب
محمد بن مفلح (الرياض) M_MUFLIHH@
The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing recently warned against the spread of the phenomenon of illegally dividing residential units, confirming that it is a clear violation of the approved regulations and licenses, with fines reaching up to 200,000 riyals. Specialists told "Okaz" that this phenomenon creates distortions in residential neighborhoods and negatively affects the quality of living.
Real estate developer Osama Baslam confirmed to "Okaz" that the phenomenon of illegally dividing residential apartments has directly contributed to rising rental prices. This type of division leads to an increase in the average rent per square meter compared to renting the entire apartment, especially if the units are rented through daily rental platforms, which doubles the annual return for landlords and creates distortions in the housing market.
Baslam explained that rising prices, along with noticeable annual population growth, have contributed to increased demand for small units such as "studios" or one-bedroom apartments, particularly from individuals coming from outside Saudi Arabia, which opens the door to random division practices to meet demand in an unstudied manner.
He emphasized that illegal division poses a direct threat to licensed real estate projects, which are designed according to precise engineering studies that consider structural load, service efficiency, and population size.
On the other hand, random divisions strain infrastructure, cause frequent interruptions in water and electricity supply, and increase rates of noise and social problems, negatively impacting the quality of life within buildings.
Baslam stressed the importance of regulating the real estate rental market through licensing requirements and activating oversight on housing that does not meet basic conditions, ensuring a balance between supply and demand and protecting the rights of all parties in the real estate market.
Not built by walls alone
Urban and regional planning specialist in urban legislation and quality of life, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sail, believes that the random division of residential units is a direct violation of the idea of "housing as an urban right," as described by French sociologist Henri Lefebvre. He pointed out that a neighborhood is not built by walls alone, but by an integrated system of balances between population density, facilities, privacy, and community identity. He added to "Okaz": "When a villa is divided into small units without any consideration for planning standards, we create compounded urban problems, and this practice distorts the urban landscape and disrupts the balance of supply and demand for local infrastructure, from sewage networks to parking, and even waste management.
Al-Sail noted that what happened in some neighborhoods of East London in the 1990s is a glaring example of the consequences of unregulated divisions, as the phenomenon known as "beds in sheds" emerged, where backyards and storage areas were divided into living spaces. The result was severe overcrowding, pressure on schools, a collapse in sewage systems, and a general feeling of injustice in resource use.
Al-Sail confirmed that quality of life is not measured by the size of the unit, but by the level of visual comfort, security, identity, and privacy, emphasizing that these dimensions are violated when neighborhoods turn into overcrowded, unplanned complexes. He stated that the problem is not about density as a number, but about the quality of the new environment resulting from it.
Daily clashes over parking
Urban legislation and quality of life specialist Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sail adds: The houses that are divided are used collectively and are not qualified for that; the narrow corridor becomes a play area, parking spaces turn into daily disputes, and life within these environments becomes psychologically exhausting and unhealthy. A child finds no playground and lives in spatial and social confusion. The family loses its privacy, and the house becomes just a space they have to endure with those around them. These are not homes, but high-stress, low-belonging environments.
Regarding the social impact, he clarified that this is not an extension of the traditional pattern of communal living in Saudi homes, but rather a gradual dissolution of relationships: "In the past, the house embraced cousins and guests. But what is happening today is a distorted proximity: strangers share walls without a common cultural framework. The relationship is no longer a kinship or even a utilitarian neighborly one, but rather a forced proximity lacking trust and privacy." He explained that these transformations reshape the social fabric without the community realizing it, producing a fragile, turbulent geography prone to fragmentation. He noted that the absence of awareness makes these violations a socially accepted behavior.
Al-Sail confirmed that the issue is no longer just regulatory, but also cultural and social, and that children are the most affected by these environments, citing a study by the National Institute of Health in America (NIH, 2023) that linked overcrowding to declines in cognitive functions such as concentration and memory.
Who owns the neighborhood?
Urban legislation specialist Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sail continues the discussion, adding that in a divided house, a child cannot play, and parents do not have control over their surroundings. Everything is managed with caution. Thus, a generation grows up not seeing their home as a safe haven, nor their neighborhood as an extension of family, but rather as a space of threat. Regarding solutions, Al-Sail clarified the need for three pathways: preventing behavior through design as in Singapore and Tokyo, via expandable units under clear conditions, involving residents in neighborhood governance through local usage charters as in Barcelona and Amsterdam, and regulating productive housing as in Seoul, where renting part of the residence is allowed under conditions that maintain order.
Al-Sail concluded his remarks by stating: What is required is not to control neighborhoods from above, but to dismantle ambiguity and redefine who owns the neighborhood: is it the municipality or its residents?
A real need
For some groups
Real estate intermediary Engineer Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al-Qurashi sees through "Okaz" that the phenomenon of dividing residential apartments meets a real need in the market, especially for certain groups such as university students, temporary workers, and tourists, who are looking for small, temporary units at reasonable prices. However, at the same time, it has a negative impact on permanent residents, especially in terms of quality of life and urban organization. He explained that various groups participate in this practice, ranging from individuals with low purchasing power to investors who rent buildings containing, for example, 15 apartments and divide them into 35 units to increase returns, which in turn creates unregulated pressure on the market. Divided units have come to occupy a significant portion of the supply, often without any clear organization or oversight.
Regarding the impact on daily life, Al-Qurashi said: In some neighborhoods, we notice increasing problems with parking, and unregulated congestion, which is extremely annoying and affects quality of life, but there are actual steps to organize these random practices.
A look at the Singaporean experience
Legal advisor in governance Turki Al-Qahtani told "Okaz" that dividing residential apartments into small units for separate rental has become concerning from legal, urban, and social perspectives, confirming that the phenomenon represents a clear violation of the regulations of the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, exposing perpetrators to severe penalties. Internal modifications made without a license carry serious structural risks, such as the potential for fires or wall collapses due to exceeding the load capacity of the building's infrastructure, and rental contracts in such cases are often not registered in the "Ejar" network, which constitutes a direct breach of regulations.
Al-Qahtani pointed out that the phenomenon contributes to creating heterogeneous living environments, with overcrowding in units not equipped to accommodate large numbers of residents, which raises noise levels, affects quality of life, and increases the burden on municipal services and infrastructure.
He cited Singapore's experience as a successful model in addressing this phenomenon, where dividing residential units without a license is prohibited, a minimum space requirement for each tenant is established, and rental contracts are linked to property taxes within a comprehensive regulatory framework that ensures organization and fairness.
Al-Qahtani concluded his statement by emphasizing that dividing apartments is not just a violation, but an urban issue that affects community safety and the stability of the real estate market, calling for the activation of electronic oversight tools linked to the Ejar system and involving real estate developers in designing units that meet market needs within regulatory frameworks, as well as intensifying awareness campaigns to emphasize that organized safe housing is both a right and a responsibility.
Share real stories
Digital media and communication technology researcher Matar bin Shaflout expressed through "Okaz" that many people do not realize the harms of the phenomenon of dividing residential apartments until they experience it themselves, whether in terms of congestion within neighborhoods, weak infrastructure, or even the security problems that gradually arise. Shaflout pointed out that community awareness through digital media can play a crucial role in this file: "We need to employ more effective visual means such as illustrations, infographics, and short videos that show how random division affects schools, public cleanliness, roads, and other infrastructure facilities."
Shaflout suggested that real stories of residents who have been adversely affected by these practices be presented: "When the audience sees a real testimony from a family living in a divided housing unit and suffering from a lack of privacy or problems with sewage, for example, the impact of the message will be much deeper than just written text."
He criticized some influencers on social media who promote small and divided apartments without addressing the harms, emphasizing that this promotion may lead some individuals to make unstudied housing decisions. It is important to guide influencers to provide balanced content, or at least balance the narrative through counter media campaigns that highlight the reality and risks. He explained that short stories and documentary videos are among the most powerful awareness methods in digital media because they touch people's emotions and convey real impact quickly and clearly, especially when they are sincere and present the reasons and alternatives, stressing the importance of telling the story from a human angle, showing how the family was affected in terms of health, psychological, or social aspects, and why they were forced into this type of housing, while providing possible solutions: "Digital media today has powerful tools capable of creating awareness, and it is its duty to use them to convey the true picture of the dangers of divided housing in an impactful visual manner, helping people make informed housing decisions that benefit both the individual and society."
Flexible solutions to face scarcity
Content creator and real estate intermediary Khaled Khalil reviewed through "Okaz" the latest update made by the "Ejar" platform regarding real estate intermediaries, pointing out that the update prevents modifying the number of units after they have been registered and approved. He gave a real example: If an intermediary registers 10 units according to an official permit, they will not be able to add a new unit afterward, even if it actually exists, because the platform closes modifications once the approved limit is reached.
This procedure confirms that work is based on an official permit issued by the municipality or the local authority, making the registration of units a legitimate and regulatory procedure. However, the problem arises when trying to add units resulting from unauthorized internal divisions, which constitutes a clear violation of municipal and regulatory systems. Khalil questions: Have clear controls been established to deal with existing cases that exceed the number of authorized units? And what about those who divided their apartment and entered into valid contracts before the update—are they considered violators even though the situation was acceptable at that time? Will there be a fair corrective grace period allowing owners to rearrange their situations before penalties are applied?
Khalil confirmed that many field cases do not stem from an intention to violate, but from a housing reality that imposes flexible solutions to address the scarcity of supply and rising prices, especially in cities like Medina, which suffer from high demand for small units.
Involve stakeholders in solutions
Khaled Khalil adds: If regulatory authorities consider unauthorized division a violation, then the solution should not be an immediate halt, but rather a clear roadmap for owners and intermediaries: Do we cancel contracts? Do we rehabilitate? What is the fate of previous permits? And how do we balance regulation with market needs?
Khalil raises an important question about the fate of small investors who entered into furnished apartment projects under the serviced apartment system, asking: Does the new decision protect the small investor who has invested all their savings to enter this sector? And what if their contract is terminated by the main owner due to the division—will they be able to continue their project or even cover the rent of the unit? He stressed that the absence of clear answers in this regard could lead to significant financial and social losses for a wide range of individual investors.
Khalil concluded his remarks to "Okaz" by calling for the involvement of stakeholders in drawing solutions and establishing fair transition mechanisms that ensure protection and restore balance to the real estate market without harming existing rights.
Not all negative!
Certified resident real estate expert Saad Al-Twaim told "Okaz" that dividing apartments into small units is not necessarily a negative phenomenon, but a direct reflection of market transformations and changing demand priorities, especially among segments that have not been adequately served until now, such as individuals, singles, and low-income earners. He confirmed that the problem is not in the existence of this type of supply, but in the absence of regulation that ensures safe implementation and quality usage. Al-Twaim explained that the main reason for the spread of the phenomenon is the low purchasing power of large segments of those seeking housing, making the small unit a realistic and necessary option, and the desire of some investors to maximize investment returns by exploiting spaces as much as possible by dividing them for a larger number of tenants.
He confirmed that dividing apartments, despite its negatives, contributes to lowering housing costs for individuals, but at the same time may lead to an unbalanced inflation of investment returns in some locations, raising future rental ceilings and negatively affecting market fairness, describing it as a "double-edged sword" that requires organization and precise oversight instead of outright cancellation. Al-Twaim indicated that the danger does not lie in the division itself, but in its execution without clear engineering requirements, as this leads to problems in ventilation, lack of parking, pressure on infrastructure, and uncalculated population density, which negatively impacts the quality of life within residential neighborhoods.
The solution is not in total prohibition, but in regulating spaces, usages, and the number of units within the property according to studied criteria that protect everyone's rights.
Al-Twaim pointed out that regulatory authorities, led by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing and the "Baladi" platform, have begun important reform steps, but still need further activation and precision in applying regulations, especially in light of the changing reality of the Saudi real estate market. He concluded his remarks by proposing a practical solution that allows division under clear and binding criteria, including: setting a minimum area for each residential unit, determining the number of units allowed in each property, providing sufficient parking spaces, adhering to ventilation and engineering safety requirements, and officially registering all contracts in the "Ejar" network to ensure documentation and proper usage.
Chaos, anxiety, and apprehension
Retired Major General and security advisor Abdulaziz Al-Qahtani confirmed to "Okaz" that the phenomenon of dividing apartments into small residential units is not just a transient phenomenon, but represents a real problem that requires firm and serious handling according to regulations and laws, due to its accumulated negative effects on property, society, and public safety.
The first of these effects reflects on the property itself, as this type of division increases pressure on infrastructure such as electricity, water, and sewage, in addition to weakening the structural integrity of the building due to unauthorized modifications, which directly affects the quality of life and the safety of residents.
Retired General Al-Qahtani pointed out that the second effect is harming the social fabric of neighborhoods, as individuals living in divided apartments often do not have a known true number, and contracts are usually registered in the name of only one person without disclosing the rest of the residents, creating an environment of chaos, social anxiety, and apprehension of the unknown, affecting residents' feelings of safety and stability within their neighborhood. The third effect, which is the most important, according to him, relates to public safety, as these practices add a compounded burden on security agencies that are forced to monitor and oversee unidentified activities within residential units that may be exploited for illegal or suspicious activities.
Al-Qahtani noted that the primary motivation for some owners is to maximize financial profits at the expense of regulations and neighborhood quality, which negatively impacts the market value of the property and location, making the neighborhood undesirable for future living, thereby increasing the scope of harm to everyone. He emphasized the importance of raising community awareness, both among owners and tenants, about the dangers of random division and the importance of strict adherence to municipal and regulatory laws, calling on the relevant authorities to intensify field tours, control violations, and impose deterrent penalties on violators.
He also urged retired General Al-Qahtani to enhance community cooperation through the use of official reporting platforms provided by security and regulatory authorities to facilitate the process of monitoring violations and limiting the spread of these unauthorized practices: "If effective coordination is achieved between security authorities, real estate entities, and citizens, and if regulations are strictly applied and deterrent penalties issued, this problem will gradually fade away until it disappears completely."
Real estate developer Osama Baslam confirmed to "Okaz" that the phenomenon of illegally dividing residential apartments has directly contributed to rising rental prices. This type of division leads to an increase in the average rent per square meter compared to renting the entire apartment, especially if the units are rented through daily rental platforms, which doubles the annual return for landlords and creates distortions in the housing market.
Baslam explained that rising prices, along with noticeable annual population growth, have contributed to increased demand for small units such as "studios" or one-bedroom apartments, particularly from individuals coming from outside Saudi Arabia, which opens the door to random division practices to meet demand in an unstudied manner.
He emphasized that illegal division poses a direct threat to licensed real estate projects, which are designed according to precise engineering studies that consider structural load, service efficiency, and population size.
On the other hand, random divisions strain infrastructure, cause frequent interruptions in water and electricity supply, and increase rates of noise and social problems, negatively impacting the quality of life within buildings.
Baslam stressed the importance of regulating the real estate rental market through licensing requirements and activating oversight on housing that does not meet basic conditions, ensuring a balance between supply and demand and protecting the rights of all parties in the real estate market.
Not built by walls alone
Urban and regional planning specialist in urban legislation and quality of life, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sail, believes that the random division of residential units is a direct violation of the idea of "housing as an urban right," as described by French sociologist Henri Lefebvre. He pointed out that a neighborhood is not built by walls alone, but by an integrated system of balances between population density, facilities, privacy, and community identity. He added to "Okaz": "When a villa is divided into small units without any consideration for planning standards, we create compounded urban problems, and this practice distorts the urban landscape and disrupts the balance of supply and demand for local infrastructure, from sewage networks to parking, and even waste management.
Al-Sail noted that what happened in some neighborhoods of East London in the 1990s is a glaring example of the consequences of unregulated divisions, as the phenomenon known as "beds in sheds" emerged, where backyards and storage areas were divided into living spaces. The result was severe overcrowding, pressure on schools, a collapse in sewage systems, and a general feeling of injustice in resource use.
Al-Sail confirmed that quality of life is not measured by the size of the unit, but by the level of visual comfort, security, identity, and privacy, emphasizing that these dimensions are violated when neighborhoods turn into overcrowded, unplanned complexes. He stated that the problem is not about density as a number, but about the quality of the new environment resulting from it.
Daily clashes over parking
Urban legislation and quality of life specialist Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sail adds: The houses that are divided are used collectively and are not qualified for that; the narrow corridor becomes a play area, parking spaces turn into daily disputes, and life within these environments becomes psychologically exhausting and unhealthy. A child finds no playground and lives in spatial and social confusion. The family loses its privacy, and the house becomes just a space they have to endure with those around them. These are not homes, but high-stress, low-belonging environments.
Regarding the social impact, he clarified that this is not an extension of the traditional pattern of communal living in Saudi homes, but rather a gradual dissolution of relationships: "In the past, the house embraced cousins and guests. But what is happening today is a distorted proximity: strangers share walls without a common cultural framework. The relationship is no longer a kinship or even a utilitarian neighborly one, but rather a forced proximity lacking trust and privacy." He explained that these transformations reshape the social fabric without the community realizing it, producing a fragile, turbulent geography prone to fragmentation. He noted that the absence of awareness makes these violations a socially accepted behavior.
Al-Sail confirmed that the issue is no longer just regulatory, but also cultural and social, and that children are the most affected by these environments, citing a study by the National Institute of Health in America (NIH, 2023) that linked overcrowding to declines in cognitive functions such as concentration and memory.
Who owns the neighborhood?
Urban legislation specialist Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sail continues the discussion, adding that in a divided house, a child cannot play, and parents do not have control over their surroundings. Everything is managed with caution. Thus, a generation grows up not seeing their home as a safe haven, nor their neighborhood as an extension of family, but rather as a space of threat. Regarding solutions, Al-Sail clarified the need for three pathways: preventing behavior through design as in Singapore and Tokyo, via expandable units under clear conditions, involving residents in neighborhood governance through local usage charters as in Barcelona and Amsterdam, and regulating productive housing as in Seoul, where renting part of the residence is allowed under conditions that maintain order.
Al-Sail concluded his remarks by stating: What is required is not to control neighborhoods from above, but to dismantle ambiguity and redefine who owns the neighborhood: is it the municipality or its residents?
A real need
For some groups
Real estate intermediary Engineer Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al-Qurashi sees through "Okaz" that the phenomenon of dividing residential apartments meets a real need in the market, especially for certain groups such as university students, temporary workers, and tourists, who are looking for small, temporary units at reasonable prices. However, at the same time, it has a negative impact on permanent residents, especially in terms of quality of life and urban organization. He explained that various groups participate in this practice, ranging from individuals with low purchasing power to investors who rent buildings containing, for example, 15 apartments and divide them into 35 units to increase returns, which in turn creates unregulated pressure on the market. Divided units have come to occupy a significant portion of the supply, often without any clear organization or oversight.
Regarding the impact on daily life, Al-Qurashi said: In some neighborhoods, we notice increasing problems with parking, and unregulated congestion, which is extremely annoying and affects quality of life, but there are actual steps to organize these random practices.
A look at the Singaporean experience
Legal advisor in governance Turki Al-Qahtani told "Okaz" that dividing residential apartments into small units for separate rental has become concerning from legal, urban, and social perspectives, confirming that the phenomenon represents a clear violation of the regulations of the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, exposing perpetrators to severe penalties. Internal modifications made without a license carry serious structural risks, such as the potential for fires or wall collapses due to exceeding the load capacity of the building's infrastructure, and rental contracts in such cases are often not registered in the "Ejar" network, which constitutes a direct breach of regulations.
Al-Qahtani pointed out that the phenomenon contributes to creating heterogeneous living environments, with overcrowding in units not equipped to accommodate large numbers of residents, which raises noise levels, affects quality of life, and increases the burden on municipal services and infrastructure.
He cited Singapore's experience as a successful model in addressing this phenomenon, where dividing residential units without a license is prohibited, a minimum space requirement for each tenant is established, and rental contracts are linked to property taxes within a comprehensive regulatory framework that ensures organization and fairness.
Al-Qahtani concluded his statement by emphasizing that dividing apartments is not just a violation, but an urban issue that affects community safety and the stability of the real estate market, calling for the activation of electronic oversight tools linked to the Ejar system and involving real estate developers in designing units that meet market needs within regulatory frameworks, as well as intensifying awareness campaigns to emphasize that organized safe housing is both a right and a responsibility.
Share real stories
Digital media and communication technology researcher Matar bin Shaflout expressed through "Okaz" that many people do not realize the harms of the phenomenon of dividing residential apartments until they experience it themselves, whether in terms of congestion within neighborhoods, weak infrastructure, or even the security problems that gradually arise. Shaflout pointed out that community awareness through digital media can play a crucial role in this file: "We need to employ more effective visual means such as illustrations, infographics, and short videos that show how random division affects schools, public cleanliness, roads, and other infrastructure facilities."
Shaflout suggested that real stories of residents who have been adversely affected by these practices be presented: "When the audience sees a real testimony from a family living in a divided housing unit and suffering from a lack of privacy or problems with sewage, for example, the impact of the message will be much deeper than just written text."
He criticized some influencers on social media who promote small and divided apartments without addressing the harms, emphasizing that this promotion may lead some individuals to make unstudied housing decisions. It is important to guide influencers to provide balanced content, or at least balance the narrative through counter media campaigns that highlight the reality and risks. He explained that short stories and documentary videos are among the most powerful awareness methods in digital media because they touch people's emotions and convey real impact quickly and clearly, especially when they are sincere and present the reasons and alternatives, stressing the importance of telling the story from a human angle, showing how the family was affected in terms of health, psychological, or social aspects, and why they were forced into this type of housing, while providing possible solutions: "Digital media today has powerful tools capable of creating awareness, and it is its duty to use them to convey the true picture of the dangers of divided housing in an impactful visual manner, helping people make informed housing decisions that benefit both the individual and society."
Flexible solutions to face scarcity
Content creator and real estate intermediary Khaled Khalil reviewed through "Okaz" the latest update made by the "Ejar" platform regarding real estate intermediaries, pointing out that the update prevents modifying the number of units after they have been registered and approved. He gave a real example: If an intermediary registers 10 units according to an official permit, they will not be able to add a new unit afterward, even if it actually exists, because the platform closes modifications once the approved limit is reached.
This procedure confirms that work is based on an official permit issued by the municipality or the local authority, making the registration of units a legitimate and regulatory procedure. However, the problem arises when trying to add units resulting from unauthorized internal divisions, which constitutes a clear violation of municipal and regulatory systems. Khalil questions: Have clear controls been established to deal with existing cases that exceed the number of authorized units? And what about those who divided their apartment and entered into valid contracts before the update—are they considered violators even though the situation was acceptable at that time? Will there be a fair corrective grace period allowing owners to rearrange their situations before penalties are applied?
Khalil confirmed that many field cases do not stem from an intention to violate, but from a housing reality that imposes flexible solutions to address the scarcity of supply and rising prices, especially in cities like Medina, which suffer from high demand for small units.
Involve stakeholders in solutions
Khaled Khalil adds: If regulatory authorities consider unauthorized division a violation, then the solution should not be an immediate halt, but rather a clear roadmap for owners and intermediaries: Do we cancel contracts? Do we rehabilitate? What is the fate of previous permits? And how do we balance regulation with market needs?
Khalil raises an important question about the fate of small investors who entered into furnished apartment projects under the serviced apartment system, asking: Does the new decision protect the small investor who has invested all their savings to enter this sector? And what if their contract is terminated by the main owner due to the division—will they be able to continue their project or even cover the rent of the unit? He stressed that the absence of clear answers in this regard could lead to significant financial and social losses for a wide range of individual investors.
Khalil concluded his remarks to "Okaz" by calling for the involvement of stakeholders in drawing solutions and establishing fair transition mechanisms that ensure protection and restore balance to the real estate market without harming existing rights.
Not all negative!
Certified resident real estate expert Saad Al-Twaim told "Okaz" that dividing apartments into small units is not necessarily a negative phenomenon, but a direct reflection of market transformations and changing demand priorities, especially among segments that have not been adequately served until now, such as individuals, singles, and low-income earners. He confirmed that the problem is not in the existence of this type of supply, but in the absence of regulation that ensures safe implementation and quality usage. Al-Twaim explained that the main reason for the spread of the phenomenon is the low purchasing power of large segments of those seeking housing, making the small unit a realistic and necessary option, and the desire of some investors to maximize investment returns by exploiting spaces as much as possible by dividing them for a larger number of tenants.
He confirmed that dividing apartments, despite its negatives, contributes to lowering housing costs for individuals, but at the same time may lead to an unbalanced inflation of investment returns in some locations, raising future rental ceilings and negatively affecting market fairness, describing it as a "double-edged sword" that requires organization and precise oversight instead of outright cancellation. Al-Twaim indicated that the danger does not lie in the division itself, but in its execution without clear engineering requirements, as this leads to problems in ventilation, lack of parking, pressure on infrastructure, and uncalculated population density, which negatively impacts the quality of life within residential neighborhoods.
The solution is not in total prohibition, but in regulating spaces, usages, and the number of units within the property according to studied criteria that protect everyone's rights.
Al-Twaim pointed out that regulatory authorities, led by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing and the "Baladi" platform, have begun important reform steps, but still need further activation and precision in applying regulations, especially in light of the changing reality of the Saudi real estate market. He concluded his remarks by proposing a practical solution that allows division under clear and binding criteria, including: setting a minimum area for each residential unit, determining the number of units allowed in each property, providing sufficient parking spaces, adhering to ventilation and engineering safety requirements, and officially registering all contracts in the "Ejar" network to ensure documentation and proper usage.
Chaos, anxiety, and apprehension
Retired Major General and security advisor Abdulaziz Al-Qahtani confirmed to "Okaz" that the phenomenon of dividing apartments into small residential units is not just a transient phenomenon, but represents a real problem that requires firm and serious handling according to regulations and laws, due to its accumulated negative effects on property, society, and public safety.
The first of these effects reflects on the property itself, as this type of division increases pressure on infrastructure such as electricity, water, and sewage, in addition to weakening the structural integrity of the building due to unauthorized modifications, which directly affects the quality of life and the safety of residents.
Retired General Al-Qahtani pointed out that the second effect is harming the social fabric of neighborhoods, as individuals living in divided apartments often do not have a known true number, and contracts are usually registered in the name of only one person without disclosing the rest of the residents, creating an environment of chaos, social anxiety, and apprehension of the unknown, affecting residents' feelings of safety and stability within their neighborhood. The third effect, which is the most important, according to him, relates to public safety, as these practices add a compounded burden on security agencies that are forced to monitor and oversee unidentified activities within residential units that may be exploited for illegal or suspicious activities.
Al-Qahtani noted that the primary motivation for some owners is to maximize financial profits at the expense of regulations and neighborhood quality, which negatively impacts the market value of the property and location, making the neighborhood undesirable for future living, thereby increasing the scope of harm to everyone. He emphasized the importance of raising community awareness, both among owners and tenants, about the dangers of random division and the importance of strict adherence to municipal and regulatory laws, calling on the relevant authorities to intensify field tours, control violations, and impose deterrent penalties on violators.
He also urged retired General Al-Qahtani to enhance community cooperation through the use of official reporting platforms provided by security and regulatory authorities to facilitate the process of monitoring violations and limiting the spread of these unauthorized practices: "If effective coordination is achieved between security authorities, real estate entities, and citizens, and if regulations are strictly applied and deterrent penalties issued, this problem will gradually fade away until it disappears completely."