Sobha Ivory tenants sweat it out as chiller switched off

Dubai Tenants of two office buildings in Business Bay – Sobha Ivory I and Sobha Ivory II – are furious over a recent chiller disconnection that left many fretting and fuming in their offices.

On February 19, the chiller was disconnected in Sobha Ivory I due to unpaid service fees by building owners.

Sobha Ivory II faced a similar disconnection on February 20. While its chiller was re-connected the next day, Sobha Ivory I occupants had to bear the heat for 10 days.

“In the last week when our air-conditioners failed to cool, we were inconvenienced a lot,” said Ash Jesser, CEO, Miles Connection, an aviation advertising company whose office is in Sobha Ivory I.

“Some of my staff chose to work from home as it was unbearable for them to sit in their office. The temperature inside was nearly 30 degrees. Even after keeping windows open, it was really sticky inside,” added Jesser.

“When I called to check on the matter, the building management company said many landlords in my building had failed to pay service fees, thereby resulting in our cooling being disconnected. It’s sad that tenants who pay regular rents have to bear all this.”

In response to an XPRESS enquiry, developer Sobha said: “It is truly unfortunate that the owners association is having this issue in Ivory I building. Our management at Sobha has written to the association stressing our concern for the tenants.

“Even though the building is in the third year of its completion and has been handed over to the interim owners association, we hope the matter is resolved between the tenants and the IOA. We will offer our support to resolve any issues that the building owners may face.”

Even though both buildings have had their chillers reconnected, tenants are concerned about future service fee settlements.

“Acute summer is yet to start. What if our chillers had been disconnected during peak summer? We sincerely hope that landlords work it out soon.

“If they don’t we will look for other office spaces in Dubai,” another Sobha Ivory I tenant told XPRESS.