Nearly a month after being forced to evacuate due to structural damage, residents of the Al Qaseer building remain in limbo. “Our landlord covered our expenses for up to 10 days,” said Nawal, a resident for two years.
“We were initially told we could return on May 12, but that didn’t happen. Now, we’re told the building will be ready by the end of the month. We’ve been spending heavily on hotel apartments.”
On the evening of April 19, the building in Muhaisnah 4 ’tilted’ following structural damage. Residents felt a jolt and were subsequently evacuated by authorities.
“We’re fed up with the uncertainty,” she said. “We tried finding another apartment nearby, but all buildings have increased rents. Many residents renewing their contracts last month faced hikes of AED 2,000 to AED 3,000 due to high demand from displaced families.”
During their search for a new home, they encountered unscrupulous agents. “Some quoted exorbitant rates while others demanded higher commissions,” she said. “They knew we were desperate. One agent asked for the first cheque in cash without a receipt, clearly trying to scam us. The entire experience has been very stressful.”
After days of uncertainty, Mohammed and his family have rented a new house in Ras Al Khor. “We hoped to return on May 12, but when that was delayed, we decided to move on,” he said. “During our month in hotel apartments, my children got sick several times due to the stress. We decided to find another apartment.”
They were permitted to move their belongings out of the building. “We had to notify security when we wanted movers to come,” he said. “They arranged a pass, and we moved everything out.”
Besides more than 800 apartments, the building also housed a store and a clinic. Nawal said residents are devastated to leave. “The building was one of the best in the area,” she said. “The rooms were spacious with lots of natural light and amenities, including a large play area for children. Visitors always remarked it was the best building in the area.”
While some residents are moving to new homes, others are waiting to return to the building. One resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, said he decided to wait. “I’m confident the building will be repaired soon and that Dubai Municipality will clear it,” he said. “The building is excellent, and we’ve made great friends here. We’d rather wait and move back.”
The building, with its second basement completely submerged during the rains, remains cordoned off by authorities as repairs continue.
