Sunday, May 29, 2011

30 dirhams off at Mary Beauty Salon when you register with Quick Shine

Quick Shine Waterless car wash is offering customers who register with them a 30 dirhams voucher that they can use in Mary Beauty Salon Jlt.


For more information, please visit Mary Beauty Salon in: One Lake Plaza Tower, Shop B007, right on the lake, JLT or call them on +971 4 447 1860 or Quick Shine Company on +9 71 50 270 7059

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Tenants flock to lifestyle projects

Dubai: The abundance of high quality residential stock at affordable rentals is resulting in considerable tenant movement across Dubai. Lifestyle communities such as Downtown Dubai, Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah Islands are much sought-after and remain resilient to the precipitous rental free fall as they are well-established and offer occupants many conveniences.

However, apartments in International City, Al Barsha and Mirdif are experiencing high vacancy rates as tenants move to affordable precincts such as Discovery Gardens and Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT). "The sheer number of apartments available in these areas as well as the availability of equally affordable units with better facilities in more desirable locations elsewhere is causing the exodus," says Vineet Kumar, head of leasing and sales, Dubai, Asteco. However, fringe areas like International City are also drawing on demand from tenants upgrading from the northern emirates. "Tenant migration from Abu Dhabi and the northern emirates is still prevalent, primarily to areas such as Discovery Gardens, Al Qusais and International City, but has slowed down slightly towards the end of 2010 due to increased supply and reduced rental rates in the other emirates," he adds. Other areas that attract tenants from outside Dubai include Oud Metha, Shaikh Zayed Road and Jumeirah.

The large inventory of one- and two- bedroom units in Dubai has helped studios remain relatively immune to the rental decline. "Studios are usually occupied by single occupants who choose the unit based on accessibility and proximity to work or retail, and tenants are less likely to move due to the relatively high moving costs. Additionally, people who have previously shared accommodation are now in a position to [be able to] afford to move into a studio, thus further fuelling demand," explains Kumar. Meanwhile, there has been a readjustment in the rents of three-bedroom units as tenants are upgrading to townhouses and villas.

Jumeirah Islands too has been attracting a considerable number of tenants. "The infrastructure within Jumeirah Islands is complete, but ongoing construction in Jumeirah Park might be considered a nuisance. However, it is the size of these villas, low density in terms of unit numbers and the fact that it is well connected to the main business and leisure areas of Dubai which sets it apart from other villa developments," he adds.

Homeowner view

•Apartments in Al Barsha, Mirdif and International City are mostly vacant
•Oud Metha and Jumeirah are attracting tenants from outside Dubai

Gulf News
Image Credit: Kishore Kumar/ANM

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

In JLT: Only AED 49 for a Woman's Foot Massage + Manicure + Pedicure - AED 160 value!


Ladies, never let a chance go by to treat yourselves like royalty. Friends and the City is offering a resounding 69% off on a manicure-pedicure package topped with a divine foot massage for the hardworking Queens of Dubai!

Originally costing AED 160, all you pay is AED 49 for all three heavenly treats, no questions asked!
This might be the perfect way to remind yourself of your special existence in this big world!

Terms and Conditions
- You can buy as many vouchers as you want for yourself or as gifts
- Voucher valid during all operational hours from 10am-7:30pm daily; closed Sunday
- Cannot be combined with other operations
- Voucher valid from May 29th to June 29th 2011
- 24 hours advanced booking required
- This deal is for women only

Click on the link below to avail the offer or call Friends & the City on +9714 450 3600 for more information. Offer ends soon, nail the deal NOW

Nail this deal HERE

Monday, May 23, 2011

For the Ladies: Pamper yourself with Mary Beauty Salon this month!

Pamper yourself to a full body massage, manicure and pedicure, blow dry and full legs waxing for only 300 dirhams with Mary Beauty Salon!
That's right, only 300 dirhams for all the above and you don't have to do all that in one day. You can enjoy the above anytime during one month from the day you purchase the offer.

For more information, please visit Mary Beauty Salon in: One Lake Plaza Tower, Shop B007, right on the lake, JLT or call them on +971 4 447 1860

Sunday, May 22, 2011

MUST KNOW Facts about JLT that no one told you about!

Located between Interchange 5 and 6 on Sheikh Zayed Road, right next to the Jumeirah Islands and directly opposite from Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Lake Towers is a mixed property development comprising 87 high-rise buildings strewn amongst lush, landscaped gardens and four purpose-built manmade lakes. Impressive by any global standards, this sprawling property development covers an astounding 2.4 million square feet (730 thousand square meters) with the four lakes covering 381 thousand square feet (116 thousand square meters).

The Concept Behind The Towers

Jumeirah Lake Towers was conceived with the idea of creating a harmonious blend of living and working environment. With 87 unique commercial, residential and retail towers, this property development is a dream come true. Each of the freehold towers is a marvel of contemporary architecture and offers an array of luxurious and spacious accommodations for small as well as large families. Every building is exceptionally well-finished and offers state-of-the-art facilities and amenities to buyers of commercial as well as residential space.

Residents can avail of the latest facilities, from hi-tech gymnasiums and saunas to superlative swimming pools and recreation areas. Not only do residents wake up every day to the beautifully landscaped waterways of their own property development, they can also luxuriate in the panoramic views that extend over the newest part of Dubai including the Marina and other freehold communities such as the nearby Emirates Living.

Plenty of retail outlets ensure that all residents of the development get all their essential requirements as well as their luxurious non-essentials right at their fingertips. For those who want to do a bit of shopping outside the inner circle, there's the Gardens Shopping Mall that's just adjacent to the Jumeirah Lake Towers.

The office space at the Jumeirah Lake Towers is non-pareil. Owners of the commercial space at this property development also enjoy coveted services from surrounding facilities.

The waterfront promenade that surrounds the towers, offers a serene and tranquil atmosphere where residents as well as the working community can enjoy an extensive array of outdoor restaurants and cafes all through the day till well into night until the wee hours of the morning.

The Concept Behind The Waterways

Right from its conception, water was considered the unique theme behind this property development. Aptly representing the distinct theme of this waterside community and creating a splendid waterfront atmosphere are the four man-made meandering lakes, Allure, Elucio, Almas West and Almas East.

Underground pipes pump sea water from the Arabian Gulf into the project's waterways every day. This dynamic flow of water on a daily basis ensures that the water is maintained in pristine condition.

The Concept Behind Free Zone Freehold Property Development

Because the licensing authority for business operations in this property development is the DMCC Authority (DMCCA), the businesses in the Jumeirah Lake Towers get to benefit from the free zone status. This makes Jumeirah Lake Towers the very first mixed-use Free Zone Freehold Development in Dubai.

Look Around You And See What You Can See

Located in the most popular neighborhood of new Dubai, Jumeirah Lake Towers is in close proximity to some of the hottest spots in town. For golf-loving residents the world class golf courses including the Montgomorie Golf Club and the Emirates Golf Course are just a short drive away. The Jebel Ali Free zone is just up the road and the American University in Dubai, Dubai Media Cities and Dubai Internet City are just across. Other prestigious property developments in the neighborhood include The Palm Islands and Dubai Marina.


Saturday, May 21, 2011

JLT "Vue De Lac" towers: Towering trouble in Dubai

Investors run up huge debts on mortgages after project suffers four-year delay


Dubai: Bank debts and stress is piling up for investors who paid millions, some their entire life savings, for property in a landmark New Dubai development that's delayed by four years.

The Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) confirmed to XPRESS that it is reviewing The Vue De Lac towers - two residential towers and a business tower - at Jumeirah Lake Towers.

Shockingly, the main construction work has not begun till date despite the towers having an initial completion date of 2007.

As a result about 60 investors who paid up to Dh1.7 million for their apartments, are accumulating interest on mortgages taken out for the property.

Marriage on the rocks

Stress has been the biggest headache for Filipino expat Jimmy Mariano whose marriage almost fell apart after he invested Dh400,000 - his savings over 10 years working in Dubai - and took a Dh932,000 mortgage from Amlak Finance to pay for a two-bedroom apartment in one of the towers.

"It has almost cost my marriage. My wife was so upset that I put my life savings into this," said the middle-aged father of one who has to pay about Dh70,000 to rent accommodation until he can move into his JLT home.

Amlak documents reveal that it released Dh533,000 of Mariano's loan to the developer Al Attar Properties in 2008. However, as of date only 15 per cent of the property has been completed. Since 2008 Mariano's loan has accrued over Dh100,000 in interest.

Rera and the main developer, Dubai MCC, were currently reviewing the project, a Rera spokesperson said. They assured investors the project had an escrow account - an account overseen by the Land Department which buyers pay into for an off-plan lot. The money is released to the developer a year after all units are registered in purchasers' names. "The project is currently registered at Rera and has an escrow account, ... the investors will be provided with a detailed final completion schedule," the spokesperson said.

Al Attar declined to explain the four-year delay when contacted on Wednesday. Al Attar had told XPRESS in 2009 that investors would not be getting their money back. "We don't want a panic. If we hand the money back, the towers won't be completed," Bipin Tavarool, Project Manager for Al Attar Properties, had said in November 2009.

The main developer DMCC said 57 towers in JLT had been finished, with another 10 in the final stages.

The development of each tower in JLT came down to individual developers and was not under the control of the master developer, which sold plots to developers, a DMCC spokesman said.

Vue De Lac (French for "View of Lake") is a complex of three towers in Jumeirah Lake Towers in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Two of the towers, Vue De Lac 1 and Vista Del Lago, have 40 floors. Vue De Lac 2 has 45 floors. Completion of the complex was initially promised for September 2007. The developers have promised to complete by mid-2011. At the end of 2009 construction has not started yet, raising doubts upon the promised completion date.

Gulf News
Image Credit: XPRESS/Hadrian Hernandez & Supplied

Friday, May 20, 2011

Three men, two women jailed for consensual sex in JLT

Surveillance camera showed women thrown out of apartment naked


Dubai: Three men and two women were sentenced to a month each in jail by the Dubai Court of Misdemeanours yesterday after they were found guilty of having sex illegally and consuming liquor.

The prosecution's charge sheet against the accused included some bizarre facts. It said the three men — P.C., 24, J.C., 26, both Britons; and A.B, 28, a South African — met the two women — R.N., 35, Ugandan, and A.M.,30 Rwandan; both allegedly sex workers — in a five-star hotel on Shaikh Zayed Road and came back with them to to P.C.'s flat in the Jumeirah Lake Towers area.

Refused

They consumed liquor, the men were in an inebriated state and all of them had allegedly stripped naked.

Later on, according to the prosecution, P.C. requested one of the girls to perform a sexual service for him, which she refused, causing him to storm into his kitchen and grab a knife, with which he threatened the women and kicked them out of his flat, locking them out without any clothes on.

The women immediately informed the building's security guard, who testified that they seemed to have been raped.

Police arrived on the scene and took the suspects for questioning to the Jebel Ali Police Station, where the women reported they had allegedly been raped.

While the three men were charged with getting drunk and having illegal consensual sexual interaction with the women, the women were charged only for having sex illegally.

Prosecutors dismissed the women's allegations of rape for lack of evidence.

Yesterday, P.C., J.C. and A.B. appeared in court and denied their charges of having sex but admitted they had consumed liquor.

Meanwhile P.C., who was additionally charged with threatening to assault the women with a knife and throwing them out of the flat without their clothes on, denied his charges.

However, the prosecution included in its records, footage of the building's surveillance camera showing P.C. throwing the naked women out of his flat while waving a knife at them.


Prosecutors also said the women allowed the men to touch their private parts after they stripped off their clothes.

Presiding judge Abdul Majid Al Nezamy pronounced the verdict and said the convicts would also be deported after the completion of their jail terms.

Gulf News

Thursday, May 19, 2011

New deal from Farsi Restaurant JLT

Farsi Restaurant in JLT is offering students 15% discount on their bill.
Just don't forget to ask for your 15% student discount when dining in or calling in for delivery at Farsi!

For more details, call +971 4 450 3532 or +971 4 450 3533


Bogus realty agent leaves Dubai couple stranded in JLT

Bogus realty agent runs away with Dh19,000 deposit and rent, leaving couple stranded without a home

The Dubai Gate 1 Tower for which the irrestible deal was offered

Dubai: A couple got the shock of their lives when their savings of Dh19,000 were siphoned off by a bogus real estate agent who advertised an irresistible rental deal in an online classifieds site.

Last December 28, 2011, Filipinos Sherry and Louie saw a "to let" online ad for a Dh30,000-a-year studio at Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), where similar units go for Dh34,000 to Dh35,000. When they rang the number, an African man introduced himself as "Kevin" and claimed he belonged to Ameri One Realtors. "He (Kevin) gave us a copy of the owner's passport," said Sherry.

When the couple saw Kevin later to check the unit on the 12th floor of Dubai Gate 1 building, Kevin opened the door to the empty unit by borrowing the key from the building security guard. He also presented a receipt from the real estate company.

The couple, who lived in The Greens, wanted to move to a affordable unit closer to the Metro, and thought the deal was a steal. They promptly gave Kevin Dh4,000 for the deposit and commission, for which a receipt was given. On January 17, Kevin went to Louie's office and asked for a cash payment of Dh15,000 to cover six months' rent.

To cap the deal, Kevin issued a receipt and the keys to the unit.

On the night of January 17, the couple packed their bags and furniture, ready to move in.

However, when they arrived at their new home the keys did not fit. When they called up Kevin he told them that he would sort it out the next morning.

Morning came and Kevin's phone was dead.

Non-existent company

When the couple reported the matter to the police, they learned that Kevin's ‘company' was non-existent. "It's a big hassle for us," said Sherry, who is temporarily staying with a friend.

The real owner of the flat, Iranian Ahmad Abdul Monem from Qeshm, said that Kevin was possibly the person who had asked for his passport copy and offered to buy his unit. He said that he was renting out the unit for Dh40,000 through Aryan Real Estate.

The couple said that they have filed a police report.

Gulf News
Image Credit: Xpress/Zarina Fernandes

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

OPI Pirates of the Caribbean collection now at Sugar JLT!

The popular nail brand, OPI, enjoys bringing a dash of fun and pop culture to nail polish. Inspired by the highly anticipated Disney movie "Pirates of the Carribbean: On Stranger Tides," the nail booty is bursting with brightly colored nail lacquers that embody the wild escapades of stars Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz.

"OPI is thrilled to celebrate the latest film in this beloved series," said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI executive VP and artistic director. "'The Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides' lacquers were inspired by a world filled with mythical mermaids, gleaming treasure and high-seas adventure. With shades ranging from sage and lavender to khaki gray and pastel pink, these colors are evocative of a warm, tropical setting, with a classic nautical influence."

The collection includes six limited-edition nail polishes, each with a quirky, clever name: Planks a Lot, a lust-worthy purple; Sparrow Me the Drama, a pink that means business; Skull & Glossbones, a gorgeous light gray; Mermaid's Tears, a magical green; Stranger Tides, an unchartered sea of sage; and Silver Shatter, a shimmering silver with a crackled, two-texture silver finish.


The good news for JLT girls is that Sugar Urban Nails has just received the OPI Pirates of the Caribbean collection! So, now you don't have to just read about it, you can go try it yourself!

To make a booking, please call Sugar Urban Nails JLT on +971 4 429 8665

Family, friends in shock after man's fatal plunge at Jumeirah Lakes Towers

CCTV footage captures final moments of executive who committed suicide in Jumeirah Lakes Towers


Dubai: The 38-year-old Indian man who jumped to his death from a high-rise building in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) on Sunday afternoon has been identified as Llewelyn Couto, a high-ranking business executive who had held senior positions in various companies in Dubai and was last employed with Splash, a Landmark Group company.

Llewelyn, fondly known as Lulu, left behind six-months pregnant wife, Poornima, and a one-and half-year-old son, Vivaan, when he took the fatal leap from the 40th floor of Icon building in JLT. He owned an apartment on the 13th floor of the building.

A family source denied Couto was under financial stress or had a family dispute. "He was being treated for depression, he was taking medication for the last six days," the source said.

CCTV cameras captured Couto's final moments, revealing a seriously distraught man, a building staff who saw the footage told XPRESS.

Nervous behaviour

The footage reviewed by authorities and building staff showed him pacing about inside the lift nervously. "He was literally tracked by the cameras from the underground parking to the top floor. He seemed really disturbed. He was seen pacing about inside the lift, sometimes holding his head with his hand," the building staff said.

The footage showed Couto, dressed in a white long-sleeved shirt and black trousers, park his vehicle at the basement and enter the lift. He did not press the "13" button on the lift where he lived but instead went straight to the 40th floor.

Camera footage from the top floor showed him entering a play area and then heading towards the pool side. It's here that he found an access to the ledge and jumped.

Couto's death has come as a huge shock to his colleagues and friends.

"He was the funniest guy I knew and always smiling and laughing ... really fun .. we are all in shock coz Lulu the guy we knew would not do that..," wrote a friend on Facebook.

"It's hard to believe he's gone. I have lost a friend," said an official at Stargate in Zabeel Park, where Couto worked as a marketing manager until February last year.

Gulf News
Image Credit: Jay b. Hilotin/Gulf News/Supplied

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Man jumps to his death from 30th floor of Jumeirah Lakes Towers building

An Indian man jumped to his death Sunday from the 30th floor of a building in Jumeirah Lakes Towers

Dubai: An Indian man jumped to his death Sunday from the 30th floor of a building in Jumeirah Lakes Towers.

An eye witness told Gulf News that he saw the remains of the man’s body as he was passing by Icon Tower in JLT around 2pm Sunday.

The witness, who did not wish to be identified, said he saw the dead body at the podium in JLT Icon 1.

“The body was a mere four metres away from me but it was not clear whether it was a human body or not,” the witness said, adding that it was a very disturbing sight.

The building security men were saying that it was an Arab man, and there were police, paramedics and JLT security around, he added.

Police sources said the man is a 45-year-old Indian executive, and initial investigation confirmed that he took his own life due to financial and marital difficulties.

Emirates 24|7 says that a letter allegedly written by the 45-year-old man reveals he was taking his own life following a dispute with his wife and due to certain financial problems, said police sources.

Gulf News

Emirates 24|7

Monday, May 16, 2011

Fancy an Exotic FREE Wash for your Car in JLT? Here it Comes!

For a limited time only, Quick Shine Company is offering an absolutely FREE waterless car wash for your car! That's not all. If you liked your sparkling new car after your free trial, you would get a very special summer rate just because you live in JLT! For details on the summer rate, click here

Waterless car wash is the latest technology in car washing. It simply cleans your car without water. Quick Shine Waterless Car Wash will wash, wax, polish and protect your car all at once while you sleep at night and for JLT residents, you get a FREE trial.

All you have to do is call
+97150 270 7059 or email: enquiries@quickshine.ae to avail this offer.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Just AED 15 for any pizza or pasta in Peppery Cafe JLT!

Just AED 15 for any Pizza or Pasta - 50% off!


Half the prices and double the excitement at Peppery! Peppery Café has got people lovesick with their Italian specialties and chilled out atmosphere and today we nailed a gigantic 50% off on ALL their Pizzas or Pastas!

Pay only AED 15 on any Pizza or Pasta and enjoy irresistible Italian cuisine with this offer while you still can! Don’t neglect the ticking clock and your growling stomach!

Terms and Conditions:
● Voucher valid from May 18th to July 18th 2011
● NO limit on vouchers for yourself or as gifts
● Hours of operation from 12pm-midnight daily
● Voucher cannot be combined with other promotions
● Dine In, Take Away & Delivery; however Delivery only in JLT area

Click on the link below to avail the offer or call Peppery Cafe on +97144474480 for more information. Offer ends soon, nail the deal NOW.

Get this deal HERE

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Gem certification: Get your diamonds tested in JLT

Consumers can get their precious stones graded at world's largest IGI laboratory in Dubai

Dubai: Consumers can now get their diamonds certified at the International Gemological Institute's (IGI) largest laboratory globally which opened its doors in Dubai this week.

The certification comes for as low as Dh228 for a carat of diamond, with the report being ready within 24 hours, said Roland Lorie, CEO of IGI, a globally recognised, independent grading laboratory for gems and jewellery.

Although grading could be done earlier at IGI's modest facility in Deira Gold Souq, the new, 5,000 square foot lab at Almas Tower in Jumeirah Lake Towers has state-of-the-art equipment with more staff to cater to the growing demand for certification in the Middle East, he said.

According to Ahmad Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, Dubai alone traded 131 million carats of diamonds, worth over $16 million (Dh59 million), in the first half of 2010. The Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group also reported a 30 per cent growth in sales in the first two weeks of its Dubai Shopping Festival promotions this year.

Millions of carats

"Although the new IGI laboratory will largely cater to wholesale dealers and buyers, anyone can come to us," said Lorie.

"Diamonds and coloured stones are 100 per cent natural. No two diamonds are the same and since there is always a tendency to push their quality up, the consumer needs to be doubly sure," he said.

While most retailers in the UAE are willing to sell loose stones or solitaires with certificates - many of local origin - diamond jewellery largely comes without such reports. As such, the onus lies with the consumer to get them verified. "Twenty years ago, only the ‘happy few' were buying diamonds. They enjoyed a trusted relationship with their family jeweller. In the current shopping generation, more people are buying diamonds and from different countries, including Dubai. Hence the need for certifications," he said.

The IGI diamond grading based on the four Cs -carat, colour, clarity and cut - is based on a scientific analysis and an internationally recognised system, said Nico D'Haemer, Managing Director, IGI Dubai.

Gulf News
Image Credit: XPRESS / Pankaj Sharma

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Save up to 30% a month with Mary Beauty Salon!

This month, Mary Beauty Salon is offering clients a great monthly package where you can save up to 30% a month on your beauty chores. Choose any 4 treatments in the offer (including blow dry, waxing, root colour, manicure and pedicure and more) and pay a flat rate of only 300 dirhams a month. For details about the promotion, please click here.

For more information, please visit Mary Beauty Salon in: One Lake Plaza Tower, Shop B007, right on the lake, JLT or call them on +971 4 447 1860

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Circuit roads at Dubai's Jumeirah Lake Towers to stay

The one-way, circuitstyle road network of Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) is here to stay it has been confirmed.

The one-way, circuitstyle road network of Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) is here to stay.

It was confirmed that the development's roads would remain in their present form at the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre's (DMMC) launch of the first water-filled lake in the mixeduse precinct in 2009.

Bryan Wilson, executive director – properties at DMCC, said that the one-way roads at JLT would remain after the development was completed."The road system was modelled on a population of 170,000 people," he said.

"Studies showed that it would be safer to implement a four-lane, one-way road network to avoid a left-lane crossing system."

At present, many residents of the area have to drive an additional 2-3km every day just to exit the development, which has a circuit of looping roads configured like number 8.

Despite this, access to Shaikh Zayed Road is considerably better than nearby areas such as Dubai Marina, The Springs or The Greens.

Wilson explained that when the project is completed, the roads will be linked to two interchanges on Shaikh Zayed Road in addition to the Western Parallel Road, providing excellent road access for residents. "Once things stabilise, location will ontribute a lot to property values here. In addition to the good road access, the area will have two Metro stations and will be close to the new upcoming airport."

Ahmad Bin Sulayem, executive chairman of DMCC, confirmed the roads were here to stay. "People may not like the roads now, but they will thank me in a few years time, when they compare it to other areas," he said.

Bin Sulayemalso confirmed that JLT would be fully completed in 2011, noting that most developments were on schedule.

"Most of the developers are moving as fast as they can, except for two of them. It's moving well."

Gulf News
Image Credit: Supplied Picture to Gulf News

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Cooling charges too hot for JLT residents!


District cooling is touted to be a cost-effective alternative to conventional air-conditioning. But ask homeowners and landlords at Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT) and they couldn't disagree more. Asked to shell out an arbitrary "capacity charge" every month, the residents have been seeking clarifications from Palm District Cooling (PDC), the district cooling service provider at JLT, but have elicited few answers.

As per the PDC website, capacity charge is the developer's share in the infrastructure cost of the district cooling plant and network. Upon handover of the units, the onus of paying capacity charges is passed onto the homeowner. However, unit owners contend that while developers had accrued cost savings by not accounting for cooling equipment in the building, this did not translate into lower sales price for the apartments, which continue to be on par or more than buildings with conventional air-conditioning units.

Paying off capital investment?

Typically, it is a building's design consultant who advises the developer on the tonnage required per unit to provide sufficient cooling. "Instead of using its own money to build the infrastructure and charge us only for consumption, the PDC is, instead, using our capacity charges to maintain the equipment at its central cooling plant. We are aware of this and it has been a topic of discussion on many forums," says Eddie Tossounian, the owner of a two-bedroom apartment in Dubai Arch Tower, JLT. He adds, "Someone calculated that it could take about seven years for all unit owners to pay off the PDC capital investment with our capacity charges. To make matters worse, it looks like the PDC will continue charging us this ridiculous levy."

"I expect the capacity charges are not just to maintain the infrastructure but also to maintain its general operating costs," an owner occupier says, on condition of anonymity.

Palm District Cooling response

When contacted, the district cooling provider offered us this response: "Palm District Cooling builds and operates district cooling systems under contract in accordance with the specifications provided and committed by the building developer and their consultants. These specifications include the cooling capacity for each unit and common areas, for each building. Palm District Cooling does not influence the required cooling capacity for the building nor the sizing of the district cooling equipment.


As per the chilled water supply contract with PDC, the annual capacity charge is equal to the product of Dh750 per ton multiplied by the TR (tonnage of refrigeration) allocated to your property. This fee is usually levied in monthly invoices sent to homeowners.

"I have two apartments in Indigo Tower that are almost identical in size, but there is a variance of 50 per cent between the capacity charges levied on them," rues a homeowner who did not wish to be named. "Also, the capacity charge for my one-bedroom apartment in Indigo Tower is less than that of my two-bedroom apartment in Lake Terrace."

Demands to recalculate tonnage capacity

With owners' associations taking charge of maintenance in most JLT blocks, one would expect them to negotiate chilled water supply contracts with PDC. "This is critical — we are already requesting that our tonnage capacity be recalculated — no luck yet. I have asked PDC many times to justify my tonnage and they refuse to do so," says the first homeowner.

Meanwhile, Hans Altmann, regional manager, Techem Middle East (an energy services provider), suggests that if owners of an individual building wish to reduce the capacity, they should redesign the chilled water system and load calculation, and then renegotiate the reduction with the district cooling provider.

Apart from the fixed capacity charges, homeowners must also pay a one-time meter set-up fee of Dh1,000, consumption charges, a refundable deposit (Dh1,000 for studio/one-bedroom, Dh2,000 for two-bedroom, Dh3,000 for three-bedroom) and a monthly service charge of Dh30 for the meter reading.

If chilled energy has been suspended in instances of non-payment, the homeowner must pay the PDC a reconnection fee of Dh1,000. As per the PDC portal, the Dh30 service charge is the fee charged each month for the meter reading and billing services provided.

Most landlords in JLT expect their tenants to foot the consumption charges. However, owners of vacant units in JLT claim that they are charged consumption fees even when the apartment remains empty for several months. "In the case of my apartment in Lakeshore Tower, consumption meters were only installed a year after the building was handed over. So consumption charges have been billed only from November 2010. We are dreading a big fat bill that the developer will spring on us for 2010-11," says a landlord who prefers not to be named.

The PDC meter to gauge consumption charges is usually installed above the false ceiling outside an apartment. According to Hans, "If there are no meters installed, the budgeted yearly cooling charges are estimated and paid in advance. These charges are then allocated as a fixed lump sum based on the area occupied and deemed in either the rent or service charge. If meters have been put up, individual bills are issued to tenants."

Landlords blamed for tenant default

However, in some instances, the landlords are expected to pay the consumption charges if the tenant defaults on his payment. "While I have been constantly telling PDC that I am a landlord and should only be paying the fixed capacity charge, they always seem to add more to my bill," explains Imran Chaudhry, who owns a studio apartment in Indigo Tower.

"The PDC reasons that if the tenant delays paying the consumption charge, they will charge the landlord. It doesn't make sense to me. They even deducted payments when I was in credit of several thousand dirhams. I realised that the PDC was not just levying capacity charges but consumption charges as well. The tenant didn't bother paying them, so they took it all from me," Imran adds.

As a disclaimer, the PDC claims on its website that it has the right to send invoices based on estimated consumptions. This could explain why a homeowner continues to receive cooler bills despite a faulty meter. "In November 2009, the meter for my unit in Indigo Tower was broken. Instead of fixing it, PDC has been charging me ‘estimated' consumption charges since then. Today, this meter is still broken — and they still charge Dh30 a month to ‘read' my broken meter," claims the homeowner.

Several buildings in JLT had attained notoriety for having their chilled services disconnected by PDC for non-payment of cooling fees. "Disconnection happens when owners have not paid their bills, and not just the capacity charge. The bill includes three elements, and capacity charge is only one of them," observes Iona Stanley, homeowner at The Palladium.

Area-based allocation of tonnage

Meanwhile, homeowners are also up in arms against the area-based allocation of tonnage in JLT apartments. "I have never really measured my apartment because that's the method the PDC uses to see how much tonnage an apartment needs. It only matters how much carpet space your apartment has. I wouldn't be surprised if some people are charged with balcony included, who knows?" says Eddie.

Echoing his angst, the landlord in Lakeshore Tower says, "I have no issues being charged for the actual consumption. However, the arbitrary ‘tonnage' fee is charged over and above the actual consumption every month." He adds, "I thought that the objective of district cooling was to bring down costs. In this case, the costs have gone up substantially."

While the consumption charges for common areas is generally measured using a separate meter in most JLT blocks, they were initially levied after consultations among the developer, facilities management firm and PDC.

"Now, we have an elected OA. So they will determine with PDC what the charges will be. I wouldn't be surprised if our OA has all the common areas of our building remeasured to make sure everything is accurate," suggests Eddie.

With owners having no recourse, they are unable to cancel their PDC contracts until they sell their unit in JLT. Disillusioned with the developer and allied service providers, an irate owner makes an emotional outburst, "I have lost all faith in anything that the developer or facilities managers prescribe or ask for. There is no transparency and no clarification given when requested for." dnair@alnisrmedia.com

District cooling service providers cover the costs of constructing plants and piping through the capacity charge, by which the capital investment is recovered by charging end-users a fixed amount every year.

Gulf News
Image Credit: Illustration: Dana A Shams/ANP

Farsi Restaurant Deal of the month!

Get one selected main meal and soup, salad and beverage for 44dhs each day through May. Enjoy!

Dog Rules in JLT

Dear Dog Owners,

Below are DMCC rules and regulations regarding keeping dogs in our community. Please adhere to the rules; the last thing we want is a ban on dogs here! Set an example to others and tell those who do not know so they know!

1- All dogs must be kept on a leash and under a competent handler’s immediate and effective control at all times within the Master Community.


2- All dog poopoo deposited on the MastercCommunity must be immediately and
completely collected by the person in charge of the animal and properly disposed of in a sanitary manner, by use of sealable plastic (doggy) bags.


3- Community User Pet owners are fully responsible for their Pet(s) at all times and any damage, including damage to Master Community landscaping and facilities, and any injury to any person or damage to their property, and any nuisance caused by their Pets will be the sole responsibility of the
Owner.

4- Pets shall not be kept on balconies.


5- No Community User shall inflict or cause, by act or omission, any cruelty to any Pet or other animal and including leaving a Pet unattended, regardless of length of time, within or upon or secured to any vehicle or
structure within the Common Use Facilities or the Parking Structures; and, Community User Pet owners are required to keep the Pet clean and the habitat of the Pet clean and hygienic.

6- No Community User Pet Owner will permit their Pet to cause unreasonable noise or a nuisance, disturbance or threat affecting the Master Community or other Community Users.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Beautification of JLT on course

Dubai: The majority of infrastructure and landscaping will be completed in the Jumeirah Lake Towers freezone this year, according to Malcolm Wall Morris, CEO of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority (DMCC).

"We're moving on from the sewerage and lake works and we're now on a process of beautification. With retail space filling up, the café culture is starting and people [are] beginning to live in the freezone the way it is designed," Morris said.

The master development has completed 53 towers and 13 towers are still under construction. An additional two hotels will also be completed in the next two years.

"JLT is one of the fastest growing freezones in the UAE and is moving into a more established phase of its development," Ahmad Bin Sulaiman, executive chairman of DMCC, said.

By the end of last year, JLT had 2,642 companies and approximately 15,000 residents.

On target

According to the DMCC, JLT grew over 40 per cent last year in terms of companies registering in the community. A total of 725 companies were registered in December alone.

According to Morris, they are averaging 60 companies a month and are on target to register another 80 companies in January.


"We're seeing the growth accelerate as our enhanced licensing and registration procedures are implemented. "In the last year, 90 per cent of registrations that took place took two weeks," said Morris.

Other key improvements in the process for registration and licensing is the launch of a reduced share capital requirement for many trade and service companies — a virtual office options for small or start up business and a simplified e-application process. Also, as commodity companies register, other similar companies are wanting to be located next to them," Morris said.

Out of the new companies that have recently registered and are operating in the free zone, 85 per cent are new entrants to Dubai.

"We're seeing new company people who wish to come to Dubai and use the JLT freezone as a place to do business. This is a good barometer of how Dubai is doing," Morris said.

JLT currently enjoys an average of 50 per cent occupancy across its different buildings. However, according to the latest Jones Lang Lasalle Real Estate market overview, the current oversupply situation in Dubai's office market is likely to continue.
Gulf News

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Children artwork cherished!

Don't throw your child's drawings in school; cherish them forever by making a personalized Calendar or mug or book mark! All you have to do is bring us the drawing and we will do the rest.
Costs only 30 dirham per calendar!
Call 0502423347 or email: jltcommunity@yahoo.com


Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Thalassemia Clinic in JLT

Dr. Masood Uz Zaman Akhtar is a General Physician by profession who also
owns other businesses. He is now planning to establish a Thalassemia Research Clinic in Lakepoint Tower, the first private facility of its kind in the UAE.

Thalassemia is an inherited disease that affects the red blood cells. It is widely prevalent in the Gulf region and requires the patient to undergo blood transfusions every month as it causes the body to make fewer healthy red blood cells and less hemoglobin than normal.

There are two forms of the disease, minor and major. When both parents carry the gene for Thalassemia minor, the child could be born with no illness, or could be a Thalassemia minor carrier, or could have Thalassemia major. There is no way to predict in advance.

Final Final JLT Community Market! Friday 6th May - 3pm-10pm

So, JLT community market team decided to have one last event before the season ends after tomorrow. The market will be held outside by the lake in Cluster E - located by Park n Shop from 3pm till 11pm.
Below is the location map:

Monday, May 2, 2011

JLT Metro Stations & Feeder Buses

Dubai Marina Metro Station:
Opened to public on 30 Apr 2010 with the theme of the Air. The station is elevated so you have to go up the escalator to catch the train and it has a total of 4 shops. The feeder bus for this station is: F37
Dubai Marina Metro Station is right outside Green Lakes Cluster.
Below is Dubai Metro Feeder Bus map for Dubai Marina & JLT Metro Stations.


Jumeirah Lake Towers Metro Station:
Opened to public on 15 Oct 2010 with the theme of the Fire. The station is elevated so you have to go up the escalator to catch the train and it has a total of 6 shops. The feeder buses for this station are: F37 and F40
Jumeirah Lake Towers Metro Station is right outside Indigo Tower.

Facts & Figures about Dubai Metro:
The Dubai Metro opened on 09/09/09 with ten stations operational under its red line.

The Dubai Metro is the world’s longest automated driverless train system.

The total length of the Dubai Metro is expected to reach 318 km by 2020.

When fully functional, the metro will be able to carry about 1.8 million passengers every day.

The total cost of the project is Dh28 billion which is almost 80% over the original set budget. RTA Chairman Mattar Al Tayer said “the reason the budget has been increased is because we decided to extend the metro line by 4.5km, add stations and improve the interior design,”.

Train run from 6am to 11pm, Saturday to Thursday and from 2pm to midnight on Fridays. During Ramadan, train times are from 6am to midnight, Saturday to Thursday and 2pm to midnight on Fridays.

The waiting time between trains during rush hours is 3 minutes 45 seconds and during off peak times is 7 minutes 30 seconds.

There will be two transfer stations, namely the Union Square and the Khalid Bin Al Walid (BurJuman Centre). At the transfer stations, Green and Red Lines will cross each other and passengers will be able to change between lines. The trains will arrive and leave at 3 to 4 minute intervals on each of the stations.

The Red Line (52.1 km) runs from Rashidiya Terminal along the Deira side of Dubai Creek, past the Dubai Airport and Deira City Center to the Union Square interchange with the Green Line. The track then goes under the creek to the Burjuman Center at the Khalid Bin Walid interchange, also with the Green Line, emerges from its underground section shortly after and follows Trade Center Road and Sheikh Zayed Road to the Jebel Ali Terminal.

Total number of Red Line stations is 29.

There are four themes based on which the interiors of the metro have been developed – Earth, Fire, Water and Air.


Transfer stations (underground) with the Green Line at Union Square and Khalid Bin Waleed Station.

Total of 24 stations will be elevated above ground, 1 station at ground level, and 4 stations underground.

Carriage dimensions are approximately width 3.2 meters and height 3.8 meters, seating capacity about 50, with separate carriages for women and children, and VIP Gold Card or ticket holders.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Dubai's RERA approves more than 150 home owners associations

Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) has approved more than 150 home owners associations, the head of the real estate watchdog has said.

“We have registered more than 150 home owners associations,” Marwan Bin Ghalaita, CEO of RERA, told Arabian Business.

“They are in place, the board is there [and] they are…in charge now of deciding how much fees need to be collected, how the common area needs to be managed.”

The majority of the registered associations are in the new areas of Dubai such as the marina, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Old Town and The Palm Jumeirah, said Ghalaita, adding the watchdog had received “a lot” more applications.
Strata law, which allows property owners to take control of a building’s service fees, was decreed in 2007 but only implemented in May last year.

Home owners associations and the first set of service charges must first be approved by RERA.


Under the law, registered homeowner associations have the power to recover service fees from owners who default on payments. Homeowners will also not be able to transfer the deeds of their property until any outstanding service fees are settled.

However, there have been fears that homeowner groups could find themselves insolvent as soon as they take over a building, due to previous owners failing to pay their service fees.

Ghalaita said the biggest problem with strata law is raising awareness. “The problem with home owners associations is once the homeowners association is there, it is the activity of the board to face the owners, not RERA but this education is not there yet,” he said.

“We are new, we keep telling them your home owners association has been established so go to them, talk to them, communicate with them.”

The average service charge for those associations that have already been approved is AED14 per sq ft, said Ghalaita. “There are no caps. We approve the first one and then the second is approved by the owners themselves,” he said.

“The average price so far for Dubai is AED14 per sq ft but it depends on the community and on the building,” he added. “There are no caps by RERA, it depends on the structure itself; you cannot cap it.”

Arabian Business
Image Flickr

Dubai's JLT sees 40% rise in residents in 2010

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority saw a 40 percent increase in the number of companies operating from Jumeirah Lakes Towers free zone in 2010, it said on Monday.

The state-owned zone registered more than 725 new companies in 2010, an average of 60 per month, and as of December 31 had 2,642 total licenses.

About 85 percent of those companies were new to the Dubai market, DMCC said in a presentation to media.

A report from Jones Lang LaSalle on Sunday said office vacancy rates in Dubai reached 41 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010, as new supply flooded an already saturated market.

In commodities trading, DMCC said the value of diamonds traded through the emirate in 2010 rose from $7.6bn in the first half of the year to $16.3bn by its end.

Tea trade reached a record 10.6m kilos, while cotton trade hit $57m, DMCC said.

DGCX, the world's largest derivatives exchange, marked a 28 percent increase to record 1.93mn contracts, worth $104bn.

DMCC executive chairman Ahmed bin Sulayem said that financial hardships of the last two years had benefited the 200-hectare free zone, where tenant occupancy rate is around 50 percent.

"It played to DMCC's advantages - key businesses had a difficult time finding [stable] property," he said.

"There's a huge amount of work that's been done," said CEO Malcolm Wall Morris. "When the DMCC launched Almas Tower, only companies registered with the DMCC could purchase [in the building.]"

When space was sold off-plan to non-registered companies, "it sold out in 24 hours" -- so much demand that a decision was made to expand the square footage.

“Now our main infrastructure is completed and we're looking forward to leveraging off that," Morris said. "We have 53 completed towers, and 13 more to be completed in 2011."

He said the DMCC had made its registration process more efficient, with 90 percent of companies completing it in two weeks.

"We're going to make this a place where people really want to come work, live and play," he said.

Arabian Business