Kuwait Municipality has banned subletting of chalets, warning owners that discovery of the practice will result in immediate cancellation of their licenses, according to an Arab Times report published this week. The directive applies to all licensed chalets used as family rest houses and aims to prevent unauthorized transfer of usage rights to third parties. This action follows a series of enforcement campaigns targeting violations in coastal regions including Sabah Al-Ahmad Sea City.
The joint security campaign in Sabah Al-Ahmad Sea City, conducted by the Ministry of Interior in coordination with the Kuwait Municipality, uncovered several violations including improper housing arrangements and unlicensed chalets, the Arab Times reported on May 19, 2026. Authorities took legal measures against the violators and stated that similar campaigns will continue to ensure public order and safety. The operation highlighted the prevalence of negative phenomena in some areas, prompting stricter oversight of property usage. Officials confirmed that enforcement will remain a priority across recreational zones.
An administrative court ruling in January 2026 backed the Kuwait Municipality’s decision to remove certain chalets to facilitate the Jahra Corniche development project. The court affirmed that chalet licenses are subject to cancellation when they conflict with public interest and that owners are not entitled to compensation under the contract terms. Judges referenced specific clauses in the licensing agreements that empower the municipality to terminate permits without recourse. The decision underscored that licenses remain temporary and revocable.
Kuwait Municipality’s inventory of violations includes subletting as a serious breach comparable to operating without a valid license or engaging in unauthorized commercial activities. The authority’s tally from recent inspections has led to the clearance of dozens of illegal structures, including 51 unlicensed camps and three chalets in the Ahmadi area in one reported operation. Officials have directed all relevant departments to enforce the ban uniformly across licensed properties.
The measure aligns with broader regulatory actions seen in other sectors, where the Public Authority for Industry withdrew five industrial plots in March 2026 for subletting and unlicensed activities, according to decrees published in the official gazette. Similarly, the Ministry of Health has closed facilities for severe licensing breaches, a press release indicated in late 2025. These precedents illustrate the systematic application of license reviews when terms are breached. The approach extends to coastal chalets under municipal oversight.
In the chalet sector, licenses are granted for personal and family use with explicit prohibitions against commercial exploitation or subletting, the municipality’s guidelines show. Owners must adhere to the conditions or face removal of structures at their own expense in addition to license cancellation. The Arab Times noted that the latest ban seeks to address recurring issues identified in multiple inspection rounds over the past year.
