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Notice Too Short to Vacate 
Building, Say Residents

DUBAI - Residents of Mohsin Building in Bur Dubai as well as some 10 shop owners in the premises, are in a bind following the eviction notice issued by Dubai Municipality.

The building comes on the list of old structures to be demolished.

However, the shop owners and residents say they received the eviction notice from the municipality only last Thursday, informing them that electricity and water supply to the building would be disconnected within seven days.

While the residents claim this is too short a notice period for them, Dubai Municipality officials told Khaleej Times that the eviction notice had been sent to the landlord some three months ago. However, when contacted, the owner of the building refused to comment on the matter.

M. Asif, who runs Silver Creek Jewellery in the building, said, “We do not know what to do in this situation. We do not have sufficient time to find new premises to shift the shops.”

“I have been running my business in the building for the past four years and I do not know how to come out of this crisis,” he added.

Expressing similar sentiments, Mahroof Ismail, owner of White Star Electronics, said, “I was shocked to find the eviction notice dropped in the shop on Thursday. It’s impossible to find another shop and to shift our business in seven days.”

Firoz Mohammed, owner of Geeth Audios and Videos shop in the building said he was trying his best to find a new shop but to no avail so far. “I shall have to close the business if I fail to find a place immediately. We have contacted the civic authorities and I hope they will give us some more time,” he said.

Abdul Rahman, who has been sharing his accommodation with friends in the building, said, “We are trying to find a room within our budget but nothing is available.” Now, we are really worried where to go after we are evicted.”

riyasbabu@khaleejtimes.com