Residents of the historic Nasser Rashid Lootah Building, widely known as the "Toyota Building," are currently navigating a complex exit process following a crackdown on illegal apartment partitions. According to building management, Dubai Municipality has been issuing fines directly to tenants found to have altered their units, necessitating that these penalties—along with outstanding DEWA dues—be settled before a final clearance certificate can be issued. Management clarified that they were largely unaware of the extent of the internal partitioning, noting that they do not have the legal authority to enter occupied apartments to inspect for such unauthorized modifications without official permission.

The situation came to a head as authorities intervened to address significant overcrowding, with reports indicating some units housed as many as 15 people. Currently, roughly 70 percent of the building has been vacated, with management emphasizing that the exit process is being handled through official channels rather than through forceful evictions. While the building, which has stood as a Sheikh Zayed Road landmark since 1974, is eventually slated for demolition, the remaining residents must satisfy all regulatory requirements and municipal clearances before officially moving out. The Municipality has maintained that these measures are essential, as illegal partitions pose serious fire safety risks and obstruct emergency evacuation routes.