(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Tenants of a compound in Khalifa City left without power water as owner fails to pay bills
Abu Dhabi: ‘Tis the season to be jolly goes a famous song. But for tenants of a compound in Khalifa City there’s nothing to be jolly about as they spent their Christmas in darkness without electricity and will be ushering a gloomy New Year after being forced out of their homes.
Ahmad Saleim with one of his children in his flat with no power supply at Khalifa City in Abu Dhabi. — KT photos By Nezar Balout
Ahmad Saleim his seven-month pregnant wife along with two small children have been for a week now have been living in their studio flat without water and electricity. They are among those who have paid their apartment rent in full for a year and cannot afford to immediately shift to another place.
Every night after work Ahmad takes his family to some place where they can wash themselves eat and then return to their dark and cold flat.
“I have no choice but to eat outside and I am spending too much money now. We don’t have water so we go to mosque for cleaning and praying. In the night we have too much problem with the baby as he has been crying too much. We don’t have money now” he said. He tried looking for another accommodation but he said he cannot afford the high commission being charged by the brokers as well as the down payment.
According to tenants on December 22 a notice was posted on their doors asking them to vacate their flats noting that power supply will be disconnected by January 15 2015. It attributed the reason to the “issued judgement” by the court of the Abu Dhabi City Municipality (Case No. 1021/2014) that said the building was overcrowded.
However two days later on Christmas eve the electricity was shut forcing the 42 tenants to either move out immediately seek temporary shelter with relatives and friends or bear the situation like Ahmad and his family.
“I was in the US for three weeks and when I came back there’s a notice on the door to vacate. I’m looking for a place now as I have to move out now” said another tenant Todd J.
Khaleej Times contacted Mohammed Salah the broker for the investor. He said the power cut was because of the case with the municipality and that it will only be restored once the compound was cleared of tenants.
“I need to finish the case before they (municipality) return the electricity and it may take up to 20 days or one month I’m not sure” he said. He added that he has spoken to the tenants and assured them that he will return their balance once they hand-over the keys to him.
However those who already left said they have not been paid in full. Ahmed Abu Kass said of the Dh5300 he was due he only received Dh4500 and that too also after much heated talks and arguments.
Another tenant said he was due to receive Dh2200 but got back only Dh1200.
Yasser Bani Mustafa another tenant said he went to the municipality to confirm the investor’s case and found that there’s still “no final judgment on the case. It’s still pending which means he can resume (operations) again and give us the chance to finish our contract.”
He also went to the Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC). “This guy (the investor) has not paid electricity bills that total to Dh126000. The last payment was made in February 17 2014.”
Yasser eventually moved out on Monday. “We are not moving we were forced to move” he stressed.
When inquired Wael Saad Kamal El Ghandour the investor denied not paying any electricity bills. “There is no balance on electricity this is a municipality problem” he insisted. However a sticker outside the power metre stated that “the electricity disconnected by ADDC”.
“I paid my dues and I was expecting water and electricity until the eviction date. I thought bills have been paid from his side but our power got cut on Christmas Day and as others are celebrating and ushering the new year with festivities I am frantically searching for a place to stay because there’s no guarantee that this will not happen again” lamented tenant Korana Custovic.
Same thing every year
According to tenants this incident happens every year with different set of tenants. And each time the rent goes up.
“I’ve been here for two years almost and this is the second time this has happened. Las year also we faced the same situation and the power was cut for almost a month — from December to January. I’m obviously fed-up. I sent my wife home to Pakistan and I’m living with my uncle” said another tenant Talha.
“This is the third time they are doing the same thing not paying (electricity) and forcing tenants out and then increasing the rent each year” added Yasser.
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