Friday, Dec 23, 2011
Gulf News
Dubai The Municipality has given a two-week grace period to owners of abandoned buildings in Dubai to conduct necessary repairs or let the civic body take action.
The municipality detected more than 160 abandoned buildings in Deira and Bur Dubai after conducting inspections across the emirate. These buildings not only look unsightly and cause inconvenience to neighbours but could also be potential places for criminal activities, said Jaber Al Ali, Head of the Buildings Inspection Section.
Campaign
The Municipality’s Building Inspection Section has launched a campaign to demolish abandoned buildings and has been conducting regular inspections in all parts of the emirate. Recently, it demolished 145 abandoned buildings. The municipality had also issued notices to owners of some 373 abandoned buildings in Deira, Abu Hail and several other areas.
Apart from issuing notices the municipality has been trying to communicate with the owners of these buildings through various other sources, including the media.
“The municipality already warned, through advertisements and newspapers, the land owners to act within two weeks from the date of declaration by executing maintenance and closing the doors so as to make sure that outsiders are not able to enter these buildings,” he said.
After the municipality communicated with the owners of the identified buildings, many cooperated and carried out maintenance. However, the civic body will have to act in case the owners do not respond, said Al Ali.
“Some owners are suffering from problems relating to inheritance, and some buildings were waiting for the judgement. In such cases, the owners of these properties are granted enough additional time before taking any action, provided they submit supporting papers and documents,” he added.
He also called upon the owners of those buildings to refer to the municipality as soon as possible to follow up on their property to avoid demolition by the municipality. Owners who fail to respond will have to bear the cost of demolition along with administrative expenses, which will be 20 per cent of the total cost.
By Shveta Pathak?Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2011. All rights reserved.
