I live with my family in Abu Dhabi and have three school-going children. In February, my company reduced my salary from Dh15,000 to Dh5,000 due to the Covid-19 pandemic but promised to continue paying for our housing.
The company has not paid my salary for the months of November, December, January and the first 10 days of February. It has also not paid my end-of-service benefits under the one-year limited contract, cumulatively worth about Dh70,000.
On June 2, the employer paid me Dh10,000 in salary for February and March as per the new contract terms.
My tenancy contract expired on June 6 and my company now tells me that they do not have money to pay for our accommodation.
I do not have money to pay the rent and the landlord is asking me to submit cheques. What should I do? FI, Abu Dhabi
The first thing you should know is that a rental contract automatically renews under the same terms and conditions as before if there is no communication between the parties to the contrary. Your situation is very urgent, so I suggest you contact the landlord as soon as possible to explain your position.
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought many hardships and affected millions of people in one way or another. Obviously, a landlord is not running a charity but requesting for more time to pay your rent may help you to arrange required finances. You are not going to ask for a rent waiver, but a deferred payment could be of use to spread out the cost.
If all else fails, you may have to move to cheaper accommodation because nobody will allow you to stay rent-free for an indefinite period
Mario Volpi
Today, landlords are perhaps more lenient than they were a year ago.
I also suggest you speak to your company to sort out a road map as to when you will be paid what you are owed. If your company does not give you a satisfactory answer, you may have to visit the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation to force the employer to pay your dues.
Remember that if all else fails, you may have to move to cheaper accommodation because nobody will allow you to stay rent-free for an indefinite period.
I read a recent Homefront column about sustainable projects to invest in the UAE.
With the move towards sustainability and eco-friendly lifestyles around the world, particularly in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, would you recommend buying a property only in a sustainable project in the future?
Would buying a unit in a sustainable project make a difference to a buyer’s profits upon sale, compared with investing in a non-sustainable building? Also, how long will it take before everybody begins to buy eco-friendly properties? DG, Abu Dhabi
Building an eco-friendly tower is expensive for any developer. As with buying organic food in the supermarket, the consumer will have to pay more to do their bit for the environment.
When considering any property purchase, there are other buyer concerns or wishes besides the number of bedrooms or view. An eco-friendly building will attract interest from certain buyers. However, I do not think this is currently a major factor in the capital appreciation of a property that has these attributes.
With reference to how long it will take for consumers to actually seek out apartments or villas within eco-friendly buildings or communities, it will depend on many factors, such as awareness of climate change and cost savings. This shift will probably take as long as car buyers switching from petrol cars to electric vehicles.
Mario Volpi is the sales and leasing manager at Engel & Volkers. He has worked in the property sector for more than 35 years in London and Dubai. The opinions expressed do not constitute legal advice and are provided for information only. Please send any questions to mario.volpi@engelvoelkers.com
Racecard
6pm: The Pointe - Conditions (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m
6.35pm: Palm West Beach - Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (T) 1,800m
7.10pm: The View at the Palm - Handicap (TB) Dh85,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.45pm: Nakeel Graduate Stakes - Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m
8.20pm: Club Vista Mare - Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,900m
8.55pm: The Palm Fountain - Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m
9.30pm: The Palm Tower - Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,600m
3%20Body%20Problem
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreators%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20David%20Benioff%2C%20D%20B%20Weiss%2C%20Alexander%20Woo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBenedict%20Wong%2C%20Jess%20Hong%2C%20Jovan%20Adepo%2C%20Eiza%20Gonzalez%2C%20John%20Bradley%2C%20Alex%20Sharp%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The Bio
Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.
Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.
Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.
Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 1 (Martinez 18' pen)
Juventus 2 (Dybala 4', Higuain 80')
Tips%20for%20travelling%20while%20needing%20dialysis
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EInform%20your%20doctor%20about%20your%20plans.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAsk%20about%20your%20treatment%20so%20you%20know%20how%20it%20works.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPay%20attention%20to%20your%20health%20if%20you%20travel%20to%20a%20hot%20destination.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPlan%20your%20trip%20well.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
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