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Dubai: As the eviction date draws closer so does anxiety and sleepless nights for families residing in five blocks of the Rashid Colony in Al Qusais.
Tenants in block numbers four to eight were served with an eviction notice for June 30 earlier this year by the Dubai Development Board office. A second notice requires them to approach the Board office by June 28 with their paid water and electricity bill.
The blocks comprise studios and one-bedroom flats with rents ranging from Dh5,000 to Dh12,000 per year. The majority of families living in these blocks fall under the middle income category.
This is the second phase of eviction to take place at Rashid Colony. The first was carried out last year on blocks one to three. The dilapidated condition of the blocks, the lack of hygiene that has in time turned into a health hazard and the illegal practice of sub-letting by the tenants are some of the major reasons that have led the Board to demolish the blocks in phases. The blocks according to them are 35-years-old. Occupants of the deluxe apartments will have to vacate by the year end.
Although residents have the option of moving out to new housing blocks provided in Muhaisnah, they prefer to stay because of the cheap rent which is extremely low for Dubai.
Despite being made fully aware that they have no option but to vacate tenants of block 4 to 8 are currently in no mood to leave. The majority of families said that they have not even started to look elsewhere for housing. For them this has been their home for 10 to 20 years. The idea of leaving and having to pay more is quite painful for them.
"I have been living here for the last 20 years," said Mahmoud an Egyptian who preferred to be known only by his first name.
"I am a government employee and living with my family here. I earn a meagre Dh4,800 and the rent I pay for my one-bedroom flat is Dh10,500 yearly. I will not get even a decent studio flat for the rent that I paying here. I have not decided yet where to move or what to do. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the authorities concerned will allow us to renew our tenancy contract," he added.
Shankar, an Indian, who works as a salesman has been living in block 5 with his wife and two daughters for the last 10 years and pays Dh12,000 as yearly rent. One of his daughters attends college. In reply to a query as to whether he had started looking for a flat to move into he said: "Not yet. I have no such plans as of now. I am still hopeful that we will get some kind of consideration from the government. But in the end if we are asked to move, there is no choice, we will have to move out."
I am keeping my fingers crossed that the authorities concerned will allow us to renew our tenancy contract."
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