Worker housing: who needs licensed accommodation?

01 / Workers covered

What groups 6, 7, 8 and 9 mean

Check each worker’s registered occupation in Qiwa. A familiar job title or the company’s activity alone does not establish the group.

Examples explain the classification, not a real worker’s eligibility. Some “technician” occupations belong to other groups; check the recorded code.

02 / Establishment-wide count

Count the workers, then check the housing duty

• Count groups 6–9 across the establishment, including different work sites.
• 20 or more workers: this is the threshold stated by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing ↗.
• Compare the establishment-wide worker count and licensed housing capacity with the records in Qiwa.

Does a housing allowance replace accommodation?

• Workers subject to the requirement: Qiwa says licensed accommodation must still be provided, even if an allowance is paid.
• Occupations outside the targeted groups: the clarification allows accommodation or an allowance.

03 / Understand the documents

The housing licence and your tenancy prove different things

A rent receipt alone is not proof of a housing licence or sufficient capacity. Check which licence covers your rooms and how the tenancy is recorded.

04 / From property search to usable accommodation

Choose the property route before signing the lease

Rent units in an already licensed property, or license premises the business will use itself. “Staff accommodation” in an advert is not evidence of approval.

Route A · Rent already licensed units

1. Check the property

   Visit it. Match the address, current licence, approved capacity and places available to your business; do not rely only on photos or a broker’s description.

2. Agree the lease

   Record the business, premises, units or beds, occupancy, dates and charges. Allocate responsibility for utilities, maintenance and licence renewal.

3. Obtain tenancy proof

   Enter the existing licence number, rental contract, dates and unit details in Balady. Obtain the licence holder’s approval, then print and retain the proof certificate.

Route B · License premises for your business

1. Check suitability before committing

   Confirm site and building requirements with the municipality or licensing authority and a qualified engineering office. Agree who pays for required works; an ordinary residential lease does not establish suitability.

2. Prepare the file and apply in Balady

   Select your applicant capacity and submit the location for municipal review, using the property information below.

3. Complete approval and inspection

   Resolve municipal comments. The service allows 90 days after preliminary approval to complete the application. The municipality or engineering office completes the relevant checks before licence issue.

Property file to prepare

• Commercial registration where applicable, coordinates and property photographs.
• Building type and area; rooms, room areas and bathrooms.
• Ownership or lease evidence, including a lease copy where rented, and a safety permit.

Before treating the arrangement as complete

• Keep the issued licence and relevant tenancy proof, not just an application number.
• Match address, capacity, validity and actual residents; confirm the Qiwa record and resolve discrepancies.
• Budget for rent, fit-out where needed, inspection and licensing. Costs depend on the property and route.

Application steps follow Ministry guidance. Visits, contract checks and budgeting are DuVolks suggestions. Industrial-city housing may use its relevant licensing authority.

05 / Close the loop in Qiwa

Keep one worker and accommodation file

• Worker list: occupation codes, work sites and establishment-wide count.
• Housing evidence: current licence, capacity, lease and applicable tenancy proof.
• Follow-up: compare the file with any Qiwa notice; resolve missing records, expiry or capacity issues with the provider and relevant authority. Keep their reply.

These are DuVolks preparation steps. The authority determines whether the housing and records meet its requirements.