The Dubai Real Estate Regulatory Agency's (Rera) efforts to unwind the legal complexities surrounding property laws is gathering steam with Law No27 of 2007, concerning ownership of jointly-owned properties (Strata Law), being further refined.
Rera is reviewing budgets submitted by developers with respect to setting maintenance fees and service charges on their properties, said a top Rera official. "All approved budgets will remain effective until the new current year versions are approved by Rera," said Mohammad Khalifa Ahmed bin Hammad, Director of Real Estate Relationship Regulating Department.
On February 17, Rera issued a directive to clarify the freeze on service charges at the 2008 rate. "This directive and the freeze on charges apply across the board unless the 2009 service fees are lower or the current year's budget is approved by Rera," said Hammad.
In an e-mailed response to Emirates Business, Hammad said Rera would not issue blanket directives to developers to lower their maintenance fees and service charges to the same level for every type of property. He said developers did not require approval from Rera if they were considering lowering their fees and decreasing their service charges. According to Hammad, the Dubai Land Department will soon issue four regulations relating to jointly-owned property developments. "These regulations will establish a new legal framework to enable developers, and in certain instances, owners, to apply to register an owners' association with Rera, besides introducing international standards," he said.
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