Kuwait eyes tougher municipal penalties with legal action for non-payment
Abdul Latif Al-Mishari, the Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Housing Affairs, revealed that a proposal is under study to increase municipal penalties, enforce them directly, and refer violators to court with a ‘block’ placed on them.
• Kuwait Municipality is studying the need to open crypts, with plans to implement controls and assess whether they can be opened in specific areas to address potential dangers.
Abdul Latif Al-Mishari, the Minister of State for Municipal Affairs and Housing Affairs, affirmed that “municipal work is collective, and the role of oversight will be strengthened across all governorates. Governors will be more involved, and a clear mechanism for monitoring will be developed, covering areas such as auditing, hygiene, and safety procedures,” as reported by Al Rai newspaper.
During an inspection tour of several areas in Al-Farwaniya governorate to identify construction violations and abuses, Al-Mishari revealed that “there is a proposal under study to increase municipal penalties within the existing laws and regulations. These penalties will be enforced directly, and if they are not paid, the violator will be referred to the courts, with a ‘block’ placed on them, similar to the Ministry of Interior’s ‘block’ on a book or car license.”
He pointed out that “the municipality is studying the issue of opening crypts, as it recognizes the need for them. Controls will be implemented, and then we will assess whether some of them can be opened in specific areas to address their potential dangers.”
He further explained that “some stores store prohibited materials in crypts, which are flammable, so any decision to allow their opening must be accompanied by enhanced monitoring. We must be able to control the situation, whether in investment or commercial areas.” He also noted that “some property owners require crypts for personal use, not for rental purposes.”
Regarding activities with suspended licenses in investment housing, Al-Mishari stated that “a law is soon to be presented to the municipal council, which will regulate the process.”
The minister denied any intention to allow the construction of a fourth floor in private housing, noting that “there is currently a fourth floor based on an area of 125 square meters, and we also believe that 210 square meters are far more than necessary for one family in private housing. However, through the housing sector, the issue must be addressed in a different way.”
