Muscat: Muscat Municipality has extended the grace period of practising commercial activities in residential buildings for one year.

According to officials, the move comes to give tenants time to rectify their situations.

In an online statement, the municipality said, "In response to citizens' requests to renew the leases of residential buildings (villas) outside the sites designated to allow commercial activities, the Municipality will allow tenants to rectify their situation on the recommendations of the Municipal Council regarding the use of residential buildings for commercial purposes.

" It added, "It was decided to extend the grace period for the commercial activities in the permitted buildings for one year only; provided that the lease parties to sign undertakings not to go back to the municipality for a final renewal of the contract again, with the municipality confirming the need to take into account the comfort and tranquility of the neighboring real estate owners which are used for commercial purposes.

" In 2016, the municipality issued Administrative Circular No. 24/2016 on the conduct of commercial activities in residential buildings, including the approval of the extension of the period of time for two years (until the end of 2018).

Source:https://timesofoman.com/article/683139