Reptiles OK but no poultry in villas

Dubai: Master developers of posh New Dubai have cautioned home owners against unilaterally modifying their properties, saying strict design guidelines are important to maintain the aesthetics and security of the communities.

In a statement to XPRESS, Emaar said: “All home improvements are to be made only after receiving the consent of the community manager. This is to ensure the safety of residents and to conserve the aesthetic value of the community as a whole. Additionally, any significant home improvements must have the approval of Dubai Municipality.”

A Nakheel spokesperson also said: “The planning approval process is an industry standard adopted by master developers. It is designed to protect the interests of residents and the community by ensuring that all aspects of community development, safety and security are adhered to, and to ensure that modifications are in line with the existing villa character and do not impact neighbouring villas or the overall street scene. Villa owners are urged to contact Nakheel if they want to make changes to their property. Only by doing this and following the established procedures can they ensure that proposed modifications are legal, with approved contractors in place to carry out the work. Applications for villa modifications are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Various costs apply.”

The developers’ responses came after residents in New Dubai areas complained they felt restricted by the number of regulations set out in their development.

Consider this: Emirates Living residents are not allowed to cover their windows with paper, paint, tinfoil, sheets or similar items. They also cannot build pergolas or put any shades on the villa exterior if these don’t match Emaar guidelines. While reptiles can be kept as pets, poultry, fowl, wild animals, horses, cattle, sheep, goats and other animals are not considered household pets.

These guidelines are applicable to all Emirates Living communities, including Springs, Meadows, Lakes and Emirates Hills.

In Nakheel communities, too, there are guidelines that residents must adhere to before making any modifications to their property.

“It is important for developers to regulate the design and aesthetics of the villas. If they don’t, residents would start doing whatever they wished and the community would look a big hotchpotch. But some guidelines are unnecessary and should be reviewed,” said a Jumeirah Islands resident.

An Emirates Living resident who has a peacock in her back-yard was unaware that poultry birds are not allowed in the community. “We are not aware of this. We have not had any problem so far. The peacocks are harmless and I don’t see why there should be a problem,” she said.

Emaar restrictions in Emirates Living

No pergolas or shades can be built on the villa exterior, unless they are made of the same wooden material

Reptiles can be kept as house-hold pets but not poultry, fowl, wild animals, horses, cattle, sheep, goats and other animals not considered domestic household pets.

No resident shall build, construct, erect, install or undertake any alteration or improvement in their villa without first submitting appropriate plans and specifications to the developer.

Permitted decorative lighting for holidays and celebrations may be installed and illuminated 10 days before the celebration and must be removed not later than 10 days after the event.

Balconies and patios cannot be used for storage purposes. No boxes, unused furniture, cabinets, cartons, automobile parts, recyclable materials, clotheslines, children’s tricycles, wagons, strollers, skateboards, scooters, slides and playhouses can be placed there.

Some Nakheel restrictions

Owners who are in payment arrears for service fees will not be permitted to make modifications in their villas.

Jumeirah Village: Size of pergolas, canopies and gazebos should not exceed 15 sq-m.

Palm Jumeirah: Fencing in frond villas should be light-weight and have a minimum 60 per cent transparency.

General Nakheel guidelines for its villa communities: No water feature is to exceed 2 sq-m in front of gardens. Still water bodies are not permitted.