Health fears over air-cooling inaction

Problem has persisted for more than a month, and angry residents at Trident Marinascape said they would approach Rera if the problem is not solved soon.

Dubai Marina Trident, Oceanic and Avant buildings Jaime Puebla / The National

DUBAI // Residents at an upmarket apartment complex in Dubai Marina fear they could develop health problems because the building management has yet to repair its air-cooling towers.

Angry residents at the Trident Marinascape, two towers that overlook the Marina Walk, said they would approach the property watchdog if the problem was not resolved soon.

“It’s disgraceful how they are managing it,” said Vanessa, who lives in a three-bedroom flat in the Avant Tower at the Trident Marinascape.

“There are no answers on what the long-term plan is. Many people are now being diagnosed with asthma because of the fungus and the mould.

“Construction signboards have been erected regarding the replacement of the cooling towers, but they are not publicising when the works will be carried out. They need to have a plan in place.”

Last month, The National reported that several tenants were moving out because the cooling towers were not functioning properly.

The Marinascape, which comprises two towers – Oceanic and Avant – has 200 apartment units, 13 villas and 23 retail outlets, including several restaurants.

The developer, Trident International Holding, disappeared in 2011 after defaulting on a Dh75 million loan. Residents said the construction was finished on the cheap, hence the problems with the cooling towers.

Vanessa, who moved in March and paid a year’s rent of Dh210,000 up front, said she would approach the emirate’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency (Rera) if the problems were not resolved.

“I like the building but they just need to be transparent with us and fix the problem.

“People can then decide if they want to renew or break their contracts or approach Rera for a refund,” she said.

Tor Fosse, a fellow tenant, said he would do the same. “The humidity reaches 80 to 82 per cent on some evenings, higher than what it is outside,” he said.

“I run my dehumidifier day and night. The owners have to fix this problem quickly. We are paying for services we don’t get.”

But the owners’ association, which has been dropping nine tonnes of ice a day into the cooling towers, said it was trying to resolve the issue. “We are controlling the temperatures,” said Alan Godfrey, a member of the association.

“We are still pouring ice. But when the temperature outside goes up, we suffer more.

“We are not unaware of what’s happening. Many of the owners are not giving their tenants the right information.”

Mr Godfrey said the association would begin installing the new air-cooling towers in November.

The process takes at least two months and would require the entire air-conditioning system to be shut down.

“To cut the plinths on which the old towers are sitting, we need to turn off the AC.

The procedure will take “about 60 days and we need the cold weather to do this”, Mr Godfrey said.

The association is also testing the fire alarms after they failed to warn residents when a fire broke out last month at a restaurant located in the towers.

Doctors have warned that high humidity levels could trigger allergies and severe asthma.

“A high-humidity area promotes the growth of indoor mould and this mould can cause allergies and severe asthma,” said Dr Bassam Mahboub, the president of the Emirates Allergy and Respiratory Society.

Mohammed bin Hammad, a senior director at Rera, said: “If either party feels aggrieved following the termination of a rental contract, they can file a case at the Rental Dispute Centre, the judicial arm of Dubai Land Department.”

He said the property owners should reach a joint decision on the facilities management company that they wish to hire to manage the buildings.

“It is up to the owners’ association to study the level of performance of maintenance companies and suppliers contracted. They may also discuss aspects of building engineering in order to resolve any existing problems,” said Mr Bin Hammad.