No Entry: Tenants of defaulting owners locked out of their flats in Discovery Gardens

Residents of building number 83 and 85 in Discovery Gardens were locked out of their apartments as access control systems on main doors were activated on Tuesday, Emirates 24|7.

Tenants, who returned home from the office in the evening, were not allowed access to their apartments as the main door was locked. Security guards present at entrance did allow tenants to enter the building, but asked them to sign on the visitor logbook.

The affected tenants are those whose home owners have not paid their dues to Nakheel.

BJ, a resident of the building, who still hasn’t got his access card, told this website: “There has been a notice, which stated activation of access control systems to begin from October 1. We thought they [Nakheel] would delay the move, but when we returned from work on Tuesday we found the doors locked.”

He added: “The security guards allowed us access, but we have to sign on a logbook that states we have read the notice.”

BJ said he called the property broker following the activation of access cards, but the agent refused to help.

“I called the agent, but he simply asked me to call the landlord. The landlord is a non-UAE resident and so he is least bothered. However, every month he does deposit my rent cheque.”
 
Seven day grace

“There is a grace period of seven days for people to collect their access cards,” Rebecca Rees, Corporate Communications Manager, Nakheel, told Emirates 24|7.

She said that Nakheel has been informing owners/tenants to pay or ensure payment of service charge and collection of access cards.

“We have put up notice of activation of access control systems for months now in Discovery Gardens. The move is aimed to enhance safety and security across the community. The activation process will be take place from October till December-end.”

Tenants urged Real Estate Regulatory Agency, the regulatory arm of Dubai Land Department, to clarify tenants right in such situation where the landlord was purposely defaulting on service charges.

“I don’t know what to do… the agent has simple washed his hands off… but he is holding my cheques on behalf of the landlord. There needs to be some regulation to protect us [renters],” said Clara, a resident of building no 85.

Nakheel is the master developer of Discovery Gardens, which houses 291 buildings and has over 20,000 units.

The master developer has been requesting tenants to remind their landlords to pay their service charges dues for months and send a final reminder to landlords in July to pay their dues to avoid disruption of services, and/or further legal action, including accessing the building once the main door access control system is activated.

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