Kuwait cracks down on fake addresses, reshapes real estate and residency landscape

Nearly a year after the tragic Mangaf fire that claimed the lives of at least 50 individuals, Kuwait has ramped up enforcement of residency regulations in an effort to prevent similar incidents and enhance public safety. A key part of these reforms is ensuring that the residential address listed on civil ID cards matches the actual place of residence.

The Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) now requires documentation to verify any request for a residential address change. This has triggered a sweeping campaign targeting fictitious or outdated addresses — particularly in overcrowded areas like Hawalli, Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, and Mahboula —leading to the cancellation of over 12,500 fake residential records in the past year alone.

In tandem, the Kuwait Municipality has tightened restrictions on bachelor housing in family-designated residential zones, further fueling the wave of address modifications. PACI has also rolled out a new service on the “Sahel” App allowing both citizens and non-Kuwaitis to update their address information more efficiently.

The address verification push has had notable effects on Kuwait’s real estate sector. Once a resident’s address is deleted, they are given 30 days to register a new one. Failure to comply results in fines of up to KD 100, forcing many to relocate and reshape the country’s population map.

Rental prices in investment real estate areas have responded to this shift, with average apartment rents rising by 3.1% across governorates by the end of 2024. Regional increases include Hawalli: KD 364 (+2.5%); Farwaniya: KD 341 (+3.4%); Ahmadi: KD 304 (+3.4%); Mubarak Al-Kabeer: KD 360 (+2.9%) and Jahra: KD 335 (+3.9%)

Businessman Qais Al-Ghanim described the cancellation of fake addresses as a long-overdue regulatory correction. He emphasized that the government’s move to reactivate and enforce existing laws reflects a commitment to public safety, electoral integrity, and national security.

“Such false practices are dangerous and contributed to disasters like the Mangaf fire,” Al-Ghanim said, adding that the reforms must continue without leniency. He also noted that many citizens had registered at false addresses — often the homes of relatives or tribal allies—for electoral gain, an issue now being rectified.

Al-Ghanim pointed to citizenship withdrawal as another factor affecting address records. Individuals stripped of Kuwaiti citizenship are required to return state-sponsored housing and are no longer permitted to own property. This has prompted a need to reallocate ownership and update residency data accordingly.

Real estate expert Abdulaziz Al-Dughaishim said the new policies have improved the accuracy of civil ID records, helping authorities trace individuals more effectively for litigation, legal proceedings, or government planning. “The state now has a clearer picture of population distribution, which impacts political, social, and developmental decisions,” he explained.

He added that labor housing has become more regulated, with companies now barred from registering excessive numbers of workers in a single unit. Many are instead renting multiple buildings to comply with legal housing standards.

Despite these efforts, a black market for fake addresses persists. Some landlords are reportedly exploiting the maximum occupancy rules by selling false residential listings, particularly targeting Asian workers who need valid addresses to obtain or renew civil IDs.

Observers estimate that workers are charged between KD 100 and KD 150 per name to be listed at an address where they do not actually reside, a practice that undermines official efforts and could lead to further regulation.

Kuwait’s initiative to enforce residency accuracy — spurred by tragedy — marks a turning point in the country’s approach to urban planning, housing safety, and regulatory transparency.
As reforms continue, the government appears determined to strike a balance between social order and humanitarian responsibility.