Emaar restricts villa owners

Dubai-based property developer Emaar has reminded homeowners in one of its communities of the risks associated with short-term letting of houses.

“Short-term letting is classified as any lease drawn up for a period of less than 12 months,” Emaar elaborated in its quarterly bulletin to villa owners in The Meadows community, adding that only licensed hotel entities can undertake short-term leasing activities, and that too in buildings specifically designed to accommodate tourists.

In the newsletter, Emaar reminded property owners that those who violate the law will be caught and penalized. “As per the directives of the Department of Economic Development (DED), short-term renting is prohibited unless the unit owner has a licence to do so,” the developer noted.

“The practice of short-term letting is solely restricted to hotel establishments, who require a trade licence, which can only be applied to buildings designed for tourists. The licence must also incorporate a company through the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. Short term letting is therefore illegal in residential communities,” the newsletter reads.

Some homeowners resort to this practice for financial gains but this can become a nuisance to others who live in the area.

Emirates 24|7 had reported earlier this year about a wild teen rave in The Springs, another of Emaar’s villa communities, and how neighbours had to call in police when the party of 50-odd teenagers in a villa went out of control. Read: Teen rave 'rocks' Springs residents in Dubai .

Within a couple of weeks of this website reporting about the incident, Emaar banned 'party-renting'  of villas and issued a circular warning residents against the practice. Read: Emaar bans ‘party-renting’ of Dubai villas after wild teen rave 

Now, the developer has reminded residents in its adjoining villa community of the same. “Whilst a minority of homeowners benefit from such activity, the majority of residents suffer as a consequence,” the community service communique highlighted, adding this practice should be avoided due to the following reasons.

#1 Security

Short-term tenants pose a security risk to the community as it is often difficult to capture and register their identity. It is important for security reasons to know who is entering and living within the community.

#2 Nuisance

Many short-term lettings accommodate a number of tenants in excess of the legally permitted number of occupants in a single unit. This can result in noise pollution or misuse of parking facilities.

#3 Cost

Short-term tenants place a burden on amenities and this could lead to an increase in community service fee costs for the repair replacement of amenities and common areas.

#4 Non-compliance

Many short-term tenants are unfamiliar with the community rules and often abuse facilities without consideration for others.

#5 Property value

The value of units could be affected if the condition and reputation of the community deteriorates.

Any homeowner found to be violating the rules will be issued with a Notice of Violation, which will attract a penalty of Dh1,000 for each time a violation occurs. Additionally, legal action will be taken against offenders.

The developer also urged residents to report any units where short-term lettings were being undertaken.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.