Emaar Properties Sets Up Owners' Associations for 39 Projects Across Dubai

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(DUBAI, UAE) -- Emaar Properties is leading the way in setting up owners' associations to establish service charges and manage common areas, according to the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) in Dubai. RERA is the regulator of the emirate's Land Department.

Emaar has facilitated the formation of 39 interim boards of owners associations for its communities across Dubai. Sultan bin Butti bin Mejren, Land Department Director General, said, "The Government has responded positively to owners' requests to have control of core responsibilities in managing jointly owned properties and introduced new law and practice guidelines," and added, "This ownership and management model establishes Dubai as one of the standard bearers for best practice and gives owners in Dubai the responsibility and power to jointly manage their affairs in a structured manner."

The process of setting up and registering owners' associations was formally introduced earlier this year when Law No.27 of 2007 Concerning Ownership of Jointly Owned Properties was enacted and the Direction for Owners Associations released. It requires owners' associations to create a board of unpaid elected owners registered and approved by RERA who are responsible for the conduct of their association.

RERA has encouraged the formation of interim boards as a halfway house to full registration of the associations - an extensive process involving a survey that takes several months. RERA's CEO Marwan bin Ghulaita said, "We were keen to see developers take the initiative and begin the process of handing over responsibility for managing communities to owners. The fact that one of Dubai's leading developers has fully embraced the Directive implementing the law and proceeded to set up 39 interim boards has helped to move the process along."

Emaar Properties is one of the largest developers in Dubai and has four lifestyle master-communities - Downtown Dubai, Emirates Living, Dubai Marina, and Arabian Ranches - with many thousands of residential units. Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director of Emaar Properties, said, "As the pioneer of master-planned communities in Dubai, our company has been at the forefront in driving modern community management practices."

Emaar Properties is encouraging owners in its other communities to set up interim owners' associations. It anticipates having more than 56 such associations in Dubai, and is licensed by RERA to offer management services to owners' associations through its Community Management division.

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