DUBAI // The owners of 18 abandoned buildings have been given a final warning to renovate them or have them torn down.
The Dubai Municipality has given owners a week to begin work, and if they do not comply, the wrecking balls will move in and they will have to pay the cost of demolition.
On top of this cost, Dubai Municipality said it would charge owners an additional 20 per cent for “administration charges”.
Abandoned buildings serve as a hotbed for insects and other creatures that pose a risk to public health, according to the civic body – and abandoned building sites are equally dangerous.
“These abandoned buildings can be used for bad activities. Illegal residents could sleep inside or they could be used to store prohibited materials,” said Jaber Al Ali, the head of the building inspection section at the municipality.
The order is applicable to 18 buildings in areas including Al Barsha, Al Warqa, Al Khawaneej, Al Qusais, Al Quoz, Umm Suqeim, Umm Al Sheif, Al Sufouh and Al Manara. Owners should contact the municipality on 800 900.
