No garbage collection for chronic defaulters in Emaar communities

Emaar Properties has said most home-owners have paid their service charges after they made villa numbers of the defaulters public across its various communities.

However, the master-developer adds that “chronic” defaulters are putting a strain on the respective community’s budget.

Although the Dubai-based property developer did not reveal total service charge arrears due, it admitted that it resorts to making defaulter lists public and to stopping services such as waste collection only if the owner fails to clear the dues despite reminders.

To keep tenants aware of their landlord’s tardiness, the notice letter, stating the arrears, is “door-delivered”.

“The outstanding amount is clearly stated in each notice letter issued to the owners who have failed to pay their service fees.

“The letters have been door-delivered so that current tenants are aware of the outstanding amount,” a company spokesperson told Emirates 24|7.

Chronic defaulters, she revealed, with large outstanding dues have been notified by various means over the past years.

“As a last resort their villa number is stated on notice boards at each security gatehouse/community entrance with cessation of some services like waste collection to follow, if payments are still not made.”

On Monday, Emirates 24|7 reported that garbage bags have begun piling outside some of the villas in the Springs and the Meadows following Emaar stopping garbage collection service from villas of the defaulters.

In his comment on this website, Charles A, a reader, said: “I think this is a great move by Emaar. Why should those people who pay their service fees supplement those who do not?

“They should start doing the same in Arabian Ranches as well. Let's see how quickly people start paying their service fees then. (And by the way, I like the 'name and shame' boards at the entrance to each community at Arabian Ranches - instead of just the villa numbers Emaar should post the names of the people that are liable for the service fees).”

Another reader, however, believed that Emaar had gone too far.

“The ‘name and shame‘ drive is already paying dividends therefore, by not collecting garbage is also making the life of the neighborhood difficult.

“Garbage is a garbage whether on one's own villa or on someone else's villa in the same street. It is giving a bad image to the whole community. Just stick to "name and shame" and it would definitely pay off!”

Emaar says it is committed to the welfare of the residents in its communities and the service charges are “determined” in consultation with the elected interim board of the owners associations and Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency.

“Every homeowner has a duty to contribute to the management and maintenance of the common areas in the community by paying their community service fees on time,” the spokesperson asserted.

ALSO READ:

Two youths invite teenage friend to ‘fake party’ to rape her

Jobless man stabs friend over sexual abuse

US Navy open fire on boat near Jebel Ali, kill Indian fisherman

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.