Rain in the UAE: homeowners and property owners in Dubai are repairing the damage.

Owners of associations and property management companies in Dubai have convened emergency meetings to assess the damage caused to their residential properties and buildings. These meetings will also discuss how to utilize available funds to prevent similar risks in the future. The top priority is to create a checklist of the damage incurred after unprecedented rainfall, the highest in the last 75 years, which fell over the UAE throughout Tuesday (April 16). Management companies say they will have to use a significant portion of their "reserve funds" to cover repair costs.

“If there are not enough funds, it will become a serious problem,” said the official representative of the group of owners. “Because there are still issues with many property owners who have not been paying their maintenance fees regularly.” Any new expenses must also be balanced with the already established maintenance fees for these homes and buildings, as well as how much property owners contribute to the overall maintenance. (In Dubai, any changes to maintenance fees must be pre-approved by RERA).

Homeowners who found themselves flooded had to deal with the inundated premises throughout yesterday. "I couldn't get any response from the towing vehicles and suffered significant damage to my furniture due to the ongoing rise in water levels," says Elizabeth, the villa owner.

According to Elizabeth, the owner of villas in an elite area, "What's the point of paying such high maintenance fees if even the basic sewage system isn't functioning?" Flooding in basements remains an issue, and significant funds will be needed to implement the necessary long-term solutions.

What can management companies do? According to the industry, property management companies will need additional staff to respond to emergencies such as short circuits and flooding of public areas. Again, funds must be allocated to hire additional personnel.

“This must be approved by the members of the homeowners association board,” said the source. “Moreover, damage to public areas cannot be confused with issues in individual apartments, as the property owner is responsible for that.”

Water was seeping in through the windows, the roof, and even the walls.

The renovation of public spaces will pose the biggest challenge for owners' associations. It will require immediate funding to carry out all related work. This demand for repair services will lead to some inflationary increase in costs when contracts are signed.

Another priority that high-rise builders, owners, and management companies will face is the fight against basement flooding. Necessary equipment should be on-site and readily available to prevent future risks. Residents should take precautions, such as not placing furniture on balconies, as well as insulating electrical panels.

The interception and instances of water damage once again highlight the importance of home insurance. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for insurance for all types of businesses, regardless of size - Avinash Babur, CEO of InsuranceMarket.ae. Higher insurance rates also mean that property owners have to account for increased insurance costs.

Since the beginning of the year, property insurance premiums have increased, and they are expected to rise even more after the recent claims come in. "The cost of property-related insurance is likely to go up, especially as issues with basement waterproofing and electrical panels are addressed," said the consultant.

“Temporary solutions, such as installing sandbags, are also an option to prevent the worst flooding. All of this is under consideration as the AO and FM companies are working on cleanup and implementing preventive measures for the future.”