Family refuses to pay rent for two years over poor maintenance

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• In protest: Shama Qureshi refused to pay two years rent to the owner of her building because of the lack of maintenance facilities and safety measures

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DUBAI: A family living in a flat in a dilapidated building in Karama for 32 years has refused to pay rent for the past two years over maintenance issues.

Shama Qureshi, 50, said they were the last family staying in the severely run-down building now occupied by bachelors. “Since the mid-90s, I’ve been paying myself to maintain the flat.

“Despite sending several intimations to the landlord, he repeatedly ignored my requests. I had to maintain the unit from my salary,” Qureshi said, claiming she also suffered from an electric shock this year due to poor wiring.

The family has been living in Unit 3 of Building No 11, a low-rise residential unit, since 1980. The building located close to the Karama Metro station was built in 1975 and privatised in 1995.

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The family said they didn’t mind leaving the run-down flat, but refused to pay the higher rent demanded by the landlord in the past two years. They also wanted to be compensated for the maintenance expenses that they incurred.

“I don’t mind moving out. But I demand that the outstanding rent be waived as compensation for my expenses in maintaining the house. I also want a new home.”