How are homeowners set to manage rain-linked damages?

Last week, the UAE saw the most rainfall in the last 75 years, and homeowners have faced numerous damages to their homes, cars, and other belongings.

A year’s worth of rainfall was seen across the country, with flash flooding, power outages, pipes bursting and all kinds of damage - the country is still recovering from one of the toughest storms and weather challenges seen and this brings us to question - How are home-owners set to manage these rain-linked damages?

Here’s everything you need to know:

Now, since the flood, people residing in recently completed freehold properties have a 10-year structural warranty. This warranty, coupled with the defects liability period for properties under 1-year completion, has built a safety net against building defects arising from the flood and waterlogging in these properties.

Our Head of Developer Sales, Fintan Flannelly has to say, “Under Dubai's JOP (Joint Owned Property) law, the seller (developer) is responsible for fixing all defects in the structural parts of the property for 10 years upon receiving the Building Completion Certificate. After the seller receives a written notice from the purchaser and/or project manager, they have to ensure all structural defects are rectified within a reasonable period of time”

Under this, contractors associated with the project are obligated to rectify any structural issues that may come up during the warranty and liability periods, and this interim ensures that homeowners are not left to bear the burden of repairs alone.

So, if you’ve got a recently developed property - you know you’re in a safe zone.

What about other properties, you may ask?

The Dubai Land Department has decided to support affected homeowners by directing many different property management companies and developers to provide a range of services at no extra cost. These services include monitoring and documenting damages caused by the rains and also easing the burden on homeowners.

As the process of damage is underway this week, homeowners, developers, and property management companies, contractors, and insurance firms will collaborate to evaluate the extent of the damage and initiate claims accordingly to homeowners.

Our property management team has been on top of this - here’s what our Director of Property Management; Anisha Sagar, has to say:

“Our teams have been working around the clock to return electricity and water to our buildings which were most affected. Last week’s situation has truly been an unprecedented time for landlords, tenants and management companies alike.”

“Some landlords have had more damage than others to their properties and have worked with us to manage that damage and return clear water and electricity as quickly as possible to their tenants.”

“Our property managers have also been present onsite in our Sharjah properties and the most affected properties to drain any leakage or flooding and return water and electricity. Our priority remains to get all properties back to good condition as quickly as we can.”

However, it's important to note that this process may take a week or two to complete, this means the need for patience and cooperation among all parties involved.

In light of these developments, homeowners may be wondering what steps they should take to safeguard their properties

While extending warranty coverage may not be feasible, property insurance remains a vital safeguard against unforeseen events.

Every homeowner knows the value of property insurance, or they would know by now that it’s good to have one in place. On the other hand, all homeowners with current mortgages need to take out property cover.

After the rains, it would seem counterintuitive to sign up for new home insurance, but that’s exactly what they should be doing.

What should new off plan property buyers do?

For new off-plan property buyers, understanding the protections afforded by the 1-year defects liability period and the 10-year structural warranty is paramount. By referencing these provisions in the sales and purchase agreement and conducting due diligence on developers and contractors, buyers can mitigate risks and ensure peace of mind.

Fintan Flannelly, Allsopp & Allsopp's Head of Developer Sales said, “Today’s buyers are better educated than before and in many cases are aware of the 1 year DPL and the 10-year warranty provided for by the JOP (Jointly Owned Property) Law,”

“These should be referenced in the SPA (sales and purchase agreement) and the purchaser retains a copy of it.

“I would also advise any client looking to purchase an off plan property to do their due diligence on the developer and also keep note of the main contractor(s) working on the project.

“If anything were to arise, the RERA approved managing agent appointed by the developer - in place of the previous ‘owner’s association - should have these details.

“Moving forward, I think purchasers will pay more attention to the developments in relation to their location and elevation within a community. This puts their property at lower risk from potential flooding should last week’s event become more frequent in the years ahead.”

Looking ahead, it's clear that more awareness and proactive measures will be key in navigating rain challenges in the future.

As buyers will become more discerning about the location and elevation of their properties within communities, they can mitigate the risk of flooding and other potential hazards by safeguarding their investments for years to come.

Hope that’s helpful!