The couple were due to renew their yearly contract at the beginning of March, but were advised to move on by their letting agency.
There are many perks to living in the world’s tallest skyscraper, but as some landlords fail to settle outstanding service charge payments, one couple living in the Burj Khalifa has been banned from using onsite amenities and are being forced to move out despite paying their rent on time.
Speaking to Khaleej Times on Friday, the couple, who wishes to remain anonymous, says the next few weeks remain uncertain for them.
“There is a 95 per cent chance we will have to move out.”
Living in a one-bedroom apartment above the 20th floor, the couple say the last few years have been relatively smooth sailing residing at the exclusive address.
And after receiving a circular addressed to their landlord on January 27, which warned that certain building access would be revoked if outstanding service charges weren’t settled, the couple didn’t think the issue was that serious. “It said if the charges weren’t paid by February 5, we would lose access to certain areas of the building by February 8. I just handed the letter over to our property agency and told them to deal with it.”
Signing a contract with the agency just shy of two years ago, the couple were told by a representative that the landlord was not living in the UAE, so there would be no relationship between the two parties. They were advised to bring forward all queries direct to the letting agency. “After handing them the circular, they got back in touch a few days later and basically told us we were on our own,” they tell Khaleej Times.
The letting agency informed the couple that the service charges were “very substantial” and since bills were being sent directly to the landlord, “it was up to him to settle these himself”.
On February 9, despite trying to deal with the issue directly by talking to Burj Khalifa property developers Emaar, the couple’s access to certain amenities in the building were blocked.
“Now we are unable to access the residents lounge, gym, and even the elevator to the parking garage. Our concierge service has been blocked too,” she told Khaleej Times, adding that the people who work in the building are being put in an awkward situation too.
“The rapport between tenants and staff has been strained due to the situation in hand.”
In a statement to Khaleej Times regarding the ongoing tenancy issues, a spokesperson for Emaar confirmed that a problem with a small number of outstanding service charges had been identified, although the exact number of tenants affected was not disclosed.
“Only a few homeowners in Burj Khalifa, who have not paid their service charges, have been sent circulars urging them to pay the outstanding dues.”
It stated that the circular was sent after repeated reminders to pay the pending service charges, following multiple attempts to get the attention of the defaulting homeowners, and added that some of those who have defaulted have had service charge payments overdue since 2012.
“Sending the circular is standard practice, given that timely payment of service charges is important for the overall welfare of the entire community. Homeowners who have paid service charges will continue to enjoy seamless access to all common area amenities.”
Emaar’s spokesperson did state, however, that resident welfare remains one of its top priorities, and said it will continue to provide vital community services including security, elevator access to their apartments, and air-conditioning to all residents.
After contacting the Real Estate Regulatory Agency, and speaking to the Dubai Municipality, the couple in question say they have been urged to take the matter to the courts.
“Rera and DM were so helpful. We explained the situation to them and they reassured us that it wasn’t right.”
The couple believe it should be the landlord who is being proactively chased for payment, and tenants, who pay rents on time, should not have to bear the brunt of their incompetence.
“The system needs to be fixed. In circumstances where landlords are renting apartments out through letting agencies, maybe it would make sense to switch the financial responsibility to the agency. That way the tenants are not the ones being punished.”
The couple were due to renew their yearly contract at the beginning of March, but were advised to move on by their letting agency.
“After sending the circular to our letting agency and being told they couldn’t deal with the issue, they told us the best option would be to find alternative accommodation ASAP.”
For now, the couple say they will do all they can to fight the issue, but as landlords continue to fail to make payments, tenants are all too often being left hanging in the balance when it comes to living the high life.
Till the time this report was going to the press, Khaleej Times had been unable to get comments from the couples’ property agency.
