Dubai: Community service fees for flat owners in The Greens have been increased for 2010, with new rates varying between 15.62/sq ft and 21.14/sq ft, a hike of eight to 18 per cent compared to 2009. This has irked residents as developer Emaar has reduced service fees for neighbouring homeowners in The Springs by 6.5 per cent compared to 2009.
"We are in talks with Emaar to reduce service fees for The Greens," said a resident of Al Ghaf, requesting anonymity. He has to pay 17.96/sq ft instead of last year's 16.42/sq ft. "Services in The Greens have gone down and yet we've to cough up more money. It's not fair given the bad economic climate in Dubai," said Fareed Roubaie, resident of Golf Tower, whose fees have gone up from 15.59/sq ft to 18.44/sq ft.
Gada Al Kabbany, who ows an apartment at Al Dhafrah said. "Last year, residents could hardly use the pool or the playground as work was on in common areas. And still we paid our regular service fees. So why increase it?"
Moreover, added Nita Ghura, resident of Al Samar, Emaar has reduced the service fees of The Springs and some towers in Dubai Marina. "So why should we pay more for less service?"
An Emaar spokesperson said: "The cost of maintaining infrastructure in older communities like The Greens will increase due to the wear and tear. The reason for decrease or increase in fees is based on historical costs and future forecasts and on how the community is structured pursuant to Law 27 of 2007. Each community pays for what it consumes; the charges are not applied by Emaar but by the community to its owners to pay for maintenance."
