Dubai: With more building managers imposing pet bans, animal owners complain they are given short notice to remove their pets or move out.
British tenant Elizabeth Bailey who got a ‘pet ban notice’ this month – half way through her contract for a one-bedroom apartment in Dubai Sports City, decided to move to a ‘pet-friendly’ place in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) than abandon her pet.
“I have been living here for 10 months and had not heard of any rule against pets. Neither was there any mention in my tenancy contract which I renewed in April. My landlord too is aware that I live with a cat and he does not have any problem with it. Now, all of a sudden my pet is not wanted anymore,” said Bailey.
She said she’s not alone. All 128 residents of her building – Diamond Tower – will have to remove their pets immediately or risk legal action. A notice to this effect has been posted in the lobby and elevators of the tower.
“We would like to remind all residents that... no pets are allowed in the community… Failure to comply will push the owners association to pursue legal action…,” the notice reads.
In March, a similar pet eviction notice was put up at Mirdif’s Ghoroob Community giving residents seven days notice to remove pets or risk legal action.
Many New Dubai communities have a mixed policy towards pets.
For 6,400 apartments in Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) there is a clear ‘no pet policy’. However, Jumeirah Lakes Tower (JLT) is pet-friendly.
Peta Wittig, Founder Adopt-ME.ae, a website dedicated to pets, said: “Before moving into a property, potential tenants must get a written permission from the landlord and building manager that pets can be kept in the house. Without this, tenants must be prepared to be asked to leave and the landlord has every right to impose a pet ban,” she said.
