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29 March 2024

'Chronic' service charge defaulters could face lockout in JBR

JBR: Imad Allaedin

Published
By Parag Deulgaonkar

Service charge dodgers in Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) master community may not be able to access their car park, the pool or even their apartment. But that is not the case yet.

The “chronic” defaulters have been informed by Taziz Property Management Solutions that the services to them have been “limited” with immediate effective, Emirates 24|7 has learnt.

In letters sent to some residents, Taziz, the Dubai Properties Group-appointed community manager, said: “We would like to advise you that due to non-payment, services to defaulting property owners will be limited effective immediately. Matters deemed an emergency will still be attended to. All other requests for services and or assistance will be declined until your account is brought up to date.”

Services, which are being stopped, are not mentioned in the letter.

A few residents, who received the letter, confirmed their access cards haven’t yet been deactivated.

Taziz letter further said: “Due to your account remaining in default, you are now being levied a one per cent per month penalty on the total outstanding amount, commencing July 1, 2012.”

The community manager also informed the owners that they were obligated under Law 27 of 2007, to pay their service charge dues at the Real Estate Regulatory Agency approved rate of Dh15.32/square feet within the time frame set in your invoice.

Residents say they refrain from paying because the service charges are too steep and claim that they have the “legal” right to pay the charge based on the original SPA rate (Dh9.5 square feet).

A reader, in his comment on this website, said: “DPG and Taziz are in contract breach and have to deliver the gyms and audited accounts.

Solve all the problems, register the owners association, pay your dues and then ask us to pay extra money.”

In June, Emirates 24/7 reported that delivery of services in the JBR may face disruption if apartment owners’ refuse to clear their arrears.

In order to recover the “significant” arrears, DPG, through Taziz, had put up notices across the buildings in the master community, informing defaulters to clear their dues for the “safety and security” of their community.

A DPG spokesperson had earlier confirmed there were “significant” arrears that can affect the delivery of services in the community.

“We are working closely with Taziz to recover service charges as approved by Rera and in accordance with the law,” the spokesperson had said.

Lately, a number of master developers such as Emaar Properties and Nakheel too have adopted the “name-and-shame” policy.

On Wednesday, an Emaar Properties spokesperson told this website that most home-owners had paid their service charges after they made villa numbers of the defaulters public across its various communities, but “chronic” defaulters werw putting a strain on the respective community’s budget.

Late last year, Nakheel barred service charge defaulters in the Palm Shoreline apartments from accessing the pools, gym and beach. The developer started recovering dues after the stringent steps were taken.

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