Tenants speak up against poor maintenance

Tenants of Burj Muscat, have sought action against a landlord for neglecting maintenance of their building, where a fire broke out recently.

In a letter addressed to their landlord and Sharjah Municipality, 32 tenants of Burj Muscat, a 12-storey office and residential building, complained that they weren't even aware of the fire, since the defective fire alarm system failed to go off.

Residents also complained about negligence, stating that a foul odour had pervaded the building, which they alleged was infested with rodents.

When XPRESS visited the building, only one out of the four lifts was found to be working. Garbage was found strewn inside the elevators and foul-smelling garbage greets visitors and residents as they walk down the corridors.

An angry tenant, who declined to give his name, said that only recently, two kids were stuck in the elevator, which has no fans and with its emergency alarm bell broken.

The landlord, I.A.B., stated that he had one lift repaired on Tuesday and that he would act on the tenants' request within 15 days. He also said that he was looking for another maintenance company to do the job properly.
“I was not aware that the fire alarm had broken down,'' he said.

Bassam, a Lebanese tenant for two years, said he had to get maintenance work and pest control done with money from his own pocket. “My landlord is never willing to help or support us, although we informed him about many issues, especially after the fire that broke out which was caused by electrical problems. Also, the building has been invaded by rodents and bugs.''

Rent row

Tenants maintain that the landlord wanted to increase rents without prior notice or before the three-year contract period since the last increase.
Rents can only be increased after three years in Sharjah.

Ramon, a Filipina who has been living in Burj Muscat for six years, said: “On June 24, when the fire broke out in flat number 404 (whose resident was on vacation), I didn't have the faintest idea until late in the afternoon when my wife returned and told me that there were firemen down the building and that they had put out the fire. I was shocked because I didn't hear any fire alarm,'' said Ramon.

The landlord, however, blamed the tenant for the fire. He quoted the police report saying that the resident went on vacation without switching off the electricity and television.

Terming tenant's accusations unfair, he said, “Some tenants try to make up stories to get away from payment delays. Where they live is still so cheap compared to other buildings,'' he claimed.

The landlord also blamed tenants for not informing him directly. “I haven't received any letter from municipality about their complaint. But I'm willing to repair the damage and carry out the required maintenance work,'' he said.