Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Non-stop partying in Amwaj Islands is leaving property owners sleep-deprived, shattered and complaining that this is not what they signed up for when they bought into the Bahrain dream.
Saraya Al Bahar, located across from Amwaj Island’s marina facilities, was once a serene street filled with pretty houses overlooking a white sandy beach.
The properties are owned and rented by Bahraini nationals, expats and GCC card holders. Now, according to angry residents, the beach has become a dumping ground for loud partying teenagers and non-Amwaj residents who have hired out three of the homes on the development on a daily basis or for weekend raves.
Residents say they have lost faith in the security services at Amwaj and believe new measures need to be put in place to solve the problem.
One of the complainers, who identified herself to GulfWeekly but asked not to be named for fear of ‘reprisals’, claimed she and her neighbours had been experiencing numerous problems over recent months.
She claims their concerns have been drawn to the attention of Amwaj Management, who to date, have done little to alleviate the problem. The resident said: “Our security is
compromised because we have large groups of people, non-Amwaj residents, renting the villas nearby on a daily basis.”
The resident continued: “Sometimes there are as many as 40 people moving in at a time. The noise they make is intolerable, lasting throughout the night up until five or six in the morning and this is not only during weekends but also on weekdays too. Most people living nearby work regular jobs and cannot sleep as a result of the constant disturbance.
“There is also a problem with litter too as these ‘guests’ throw food and garbage all over the beach and don’t clean up after themselves. It is no longer a peaceful place to live, some of the residents here have been verbally abused and we have had our kayaks and personal belongings taken without permission. Some of the visitors have even thrown things at our pet dogs.
“We are very concerned that anyone can rent or hire these villas on a daily or weekend basis and do whatever they want.
“On occasion, we have also noticed that the villas have been used by men to bring in girls, or vice versa. As respectable families we take great exception to this. We are all very upset at this violation of our privacy, especially as we have paid a great deal of money to buy or rent our homes on what we thought would be an exclusive and peaceful development.”
Amwaj guidelines and the Al Saraya sales contract clearly state that it is not permitted to rent out the properties in such a manner, as per a selection of clauses.
The sales contract states that after property completion, the buyer should use the property for residential purposes only and must not cause a disturbance to neighbours, public decency and order.
Amwaj’s guidelines also states that properties cannot be used for illegal or immoral activities or any use which will disturb the peace or serenity or prove to be a nuisance. Also, no residential property can be used for commercial purposes or any business that conjures a negative image of the neighbourhood.
According to Amwaj Security, any visitor causing damage to property, causing a nuisance, or failing to co-operate with Amwaj Security will be prohibited from entering Amwaj on a permanent basis. This includes failing to notify security of any parties which are to take place or parties that carry on beyond 1am.
However, in practice they appear to be worthless words with little action. Even the Amwaj newsletter states that daily rentals are prohibited. Another angry resident said: “We have had numerous meetings, sent countless emails to Amwaj Security and Management and we have submitted a petition but they say they cannot stop it as they have no ‘government’ backing.
“Some of us have been to the police and to the municipality but they just point the finger back at Amwaj Security. It seems to be a ‘no-win’ situation.”
The residents had even tried to set up meetings with the property owner accused of renting out one of the properties but to no avail. They say they have been told through the management company that the owner claims all the visitors are ‘her relatives or friends’ and have been promised that in future the villas would only be rented out at the weekends.
GulfWeekly understands the properties are available from BD150 a night, according to the campaigners. Small groups of guests turn up during the day and are often joined by more party-goers in the evening.
This newspaper tried to contact one of the owners, who are believed to be Bahraini living in Qatar and managed by a family member living in the kingdom but our calls have gone unanswered.
When Gulfweekly contacted Ashraf Othman, Amwaj Islands deputy chief executive officer, for a response to the allegations, he sent an email stating that Amwaj Islands and its sub-projects have strict rules for conduct which balance the freedom of enjoyment of one’s private residence and any infringement of the guidelines affecting neighbourly coexistence.
Our questions about the residents’ complaints and their photographic evidence of partying went unanswered. He said: “These rules are clearly stipulated in the individual sales agreements, the Amwaj Guidelines and Security rules and regulations. Residents are also reminded monthly through the Amwaj newsletter.
“Most residents, visitors and guests have found these extremely helpful and have enjoyed living and visiting the Islands without difficulty. Should there be any indiscretion of these rules, please forward any complaints directly to us or to our security email amwaj@secureservices.bh and we will address them immediately.”
In the meantime, the discontented residents have started seeking new places to lay their weary heads as the partying continues. For example, one homeowner has resorted to sleeping in her private office at home instead of her bedroom.
She said: “The noise that goes on throughout the night often prevents me from sleeping and I have to go and sleep in my office. My sister was visiting from the UK a few weeks back and five nights out of the 10 days she was here, she also had to get up and sleep in my office.
“I have had my kayak taken and abandoned in the sea and the beach area in front is littered with rubbish which I usually end up having to clean up.
“When we bought into Amwaj, we were led to believe this would be a peaceful, tranquil, family environment and expected to have our rights protected. But it seems that nobody is able, or willing, to address this intolerable situation we now find ourselves in.
“I can only see it getting worse, as the more these unscrupulous owners get away with it, the more other owners will be tempted to do the same.
“Saud Kanoo’s dream for Amwaj Island, being the chairman, was to create a serene and quiet place where people can live in harmony. Sad to say, the dream is rapidly becoming a nightmare.”
