Lifestyle Archives - Page 21 of 37

Build your own backyard kitchen garden

Sure, you can always pop into the neighbourhood store to get your greens – but why not grow your own vegetables and save time and money? We’ve gathered some great advice from our landscaping team that you can employ to grow crunchy cauliflowers, tangy tomatoes and juicy melons.

1. Check your calendar

The time of the year is a crucial factor when it comes to prepping your garden. The winter months from September to December are the best time to start sowing seeds.

2. Pick plants that thrive in UAE

Picking versatile species that perform well in the country’s climate helps you maintain a healthier garden.

Vegetables: Tomato, lettuce, beetroot, mint, radish, eggplant, pepper, cucumber

Fruits: Lemon, lime, pomegranate, mango, papaya, fig, guava

3. Ensure the soil is well nourished

Your plants soak up all the nutrients they need from the soil, making it crucial that the soil is well nourished with the necessary fertilisers. Soil is U.A.E. is generally low in nutrients, so make use of fertilisers rich in nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.

Tip: You can also pour water used to cook vegetables or boil eggs – they’re loaded with water-soluble nutrients.

4. Water as necessary

Smaller containers need to have a hole at the bottom to allow excess water to drain. Soil in pots is likely to dry out faster, so they may need to be watered more frequently.
Tip: Insert a dry wooden chopstick into the soil near your plant, remove after ten minutes and check if the wood has dampened. If it’s dry, your soil needs water.

5. Keep an eye out for pests

As the weather changes, plants become more susceptible to fungus and insect attacks, so it’s a good idea to apply some fungicide.

Tip: For a chemical-free remedy, spray a solution of one litre water and one teaspoon of baking soda mixed with half a teaspoon of oil and a few drops of dish soap.

Explore sports zones at Dubai Hills Estate.

Kick, spin, slam, flip, dive, shoot! All this and more in your neighbourhood.

1. Pick a sport at the multi-function court

Pull on your footie boots and head for your community’s multi-function court (available in Fairways, Parkways and Sidra) for a friendly kickabout with friends or other members of the community.

You can also play a game of tennis or basketball here. These are great team sports that will also have you making new friends and getting to know your neighbours!

2. Tennis (and padel tennis!)

If you’re after building some serious strength while leaning out, the full-size tennis courts (available in Hills View, Fairways, Parkways and Sidra) are perfect for you. In addition to working your entire body, tennis tests your hand-eye coordination and improves your reaction time. The game also build resilience, particularly in the later sets when you’re more fatigued.

Meanwhile, the padel tennis court at Dubai Hills Park is the perfect spot for a game of doubles. Scoring is the same as normal tennis and the balls used are similar but with a little less pressure. The court has walls and the balls can be played off them just like in squash. Quick and easy to learn, padel tennis is a fun and addictive sport to play. Ideal for all ages and all abilities and perfect for families.

3. Skating

Searching for an activity that tests your balance and enhances spatial awareness? Filled with ramps and slopes, there are adults’ and children’s skate parks located in the Dubai Hills Park and is the ideal place to showcase your flips and tricks. Remember, safety comes first! Always wear a helmet, knee-pads and adequate protection when you’re using the amenity.

4. Swimming

Want to just unwind and enjoy a light-hearted activity that doesn’t demand much skill or commitment? Head for your pools (available in Acacia, Maple, Mulberry and Sidra) and ease through a few breast-stroke laps. If you’re looking for something more challenging, try incorporating a few dolphin kicks every now and again.

All the pools have deep and shallow ends so no matter what your level of skill is, you’ll always find the water comfortable. Did we mention that there are smaller wading pools for younger children too?

5. Basketball

If you’re looking for a game to develop quicker feet, improve your speed, and hone your accuracy, basketball checks all the boxes. The rapid switches, long-range shooting, dizzying twists, and turns make the game perfect for developing agility and speed. So head down to your community’s multi-function court and start dribbling (in Hills View, Fairways, Parkways, Maple, and Sidra).

Terms and conditions apply.

Reporting issues

How do I notify the community management about a cleaning or maintenance issue, or if there is any damage to the common areas?

For urgent matters, please contact community security or call us on 800 EMAAR (36227).
If the issue pertains to structural defects within your premises, you may visit our Customer Care Department located at Emaar Square, Building 2, Ground Floor.
For accidents or claims, please contact Dubai Municipality on 800 900 or +971 4 221 5555.

What if the damage was accidental rather than caused by negligence? Is there a difference in whose responsibility it is?

The community manager must repair common property and a homeowner must repair their unit, whether the damage was accidental or negligent.
If someone else damages your property, then like any damages claim, you may take action to recover the cost of repairs from that person. In the event the common property is damaged, the person responsible will be charged for the rectification if the person is identified.

Renting out

I have rented out my unit. Do I have to inform anybody about new tenants inhabiting my property?

Your community has an established Move-in/out policy. The objectives of this policy are to ensure current contact information is kept up to date, we have the necessary information to assist residents with special requirements in cases of an emergency evacuation, and to ensure that any damage to the common areas is recorded and dealt with promptly. Before moving into the community, it is mandatory that you fill out the online Move-in permit (MIP) – you can do so by registering or logging in.
You will receive your electronic MIP in one business day, provided there are no outstanding service fees against the unit. Ensure that all your details are accurate when you submit the form as it is important that we have your contact details to reach you in the event of emergency situations such as fire, flood or earthquake, activities pertaining to your unit (such as water leaks, activation of fire alarms, or smoke detector maintenance), and parking issues.

Can I install ‘For Rent’ signage in the visible areas of my property?

No. This is a violation of the community rules.

Pets

I want to get a dog. Do I need permission from the community manager?

As a resident, you are allowed to keep pets in your unit but you must comply with the community rules in addition to Dubai Municipality regulations.

If I don’t remove my pet’s waste myself, what will you do?

A notice of violation will be issued to violators who do not clean up after their pets as this issue affects the hygiene and cleanliness of the community. Repeated offences may carry a fine.

Are there any pets that are not allowed?

You are not permitted to keep any animals in your home that are not deemed ‘household pets’. Examples of these are poultry, cows, goats, sheep, horses, swine or wild animals. Please refer to the community rules, for more information or contact Dubai Municipality on 800 900 for the list of pets that are allowed in residential communities.

My neighbour’s dog barks loudly during the early hours of the morning and despite many verbal requests, this problem has not been resolved. What else can I do?

You may contact community security, 24 hours a day or involve the local authorities for further escalation – call Dubai Police on 999.

Pest control

What should I do in case of a pest infestation?

We recommend that you engage in a contract with a Dubai Municipality registered pest control vendor to conduct regular pest control treatment within your unit. Pests in the common areas are taken care of by the pest control service provider appointed by the community.

Access cards

What do I do if my access card is lost/damaged/not working?

If you have lost your card, inform your community security immediately so that we can deactivate your card and prevent it from being misused. You can apply for new cards by simply logging onto your community portal and clicking ‘Apply for a new card’, whereas, existing cardholders should select the ‘Activate existing card’ option.

I have more cars than the allowed car parking allocation. Can I request an additional parking space and access card?

No, you need to make your own arrangements to park your additional cars. They should not be parked in the visitors’ parking area. The maximum number of vehicle access cards issued is based on the number of allocated parking bays, unless an additional parking bay has been purchased. Community access cards are issued based on the number of residents in the apartment and as per the discretion of the community manager. Additional access cards will be charged AED 200 per card, if applicable.

I am a tenant. How can I get an access card after I move in?

You can apply for new community access and vehicle access cards by simply logging onto your community portal using the LOG IN button at the top right and select ‘Access cards‘ from your menu. Here, you can click ‘Apply for a new card’, whereas, existing cardholders should select the ‘Activate existing card’ option.
Your log-in credentials are sent via email, along with the Move in Permit.

I’ve been a resident for ten years and already possess an access card. Do I still need to activate my cards?

Yes, existing and new card holders need to register (one-time) their access cards on the community portal. Upon logging in, you may select ‘Activate existing card’ under the Access Cards menu option.

I am a new tenant, and the homeowner/real estate agent provided me with access cards. Do I have to activate them?

Yes, you can activate your access cards by logging in to your community portal. Your log-in credentials are sent via email, along with your Move in Permit.

How are access cards are issued?

For new communities, access cards are issued free of cost to the homeowner during the handover. If you are a subsequent homeowner or tenant, you will need to collect the cards from the original homeowner or apply for new cards online (charges apply).

My tenancy contract expired three days ago. What will happen to my access cards now?

The validity of your access cards and community portal account is linked to the expiry date of your tenancy contract. You can do this by clicking the Move In/Move Out/Renewal option from your side menu.
If your contract has expired, you have a 15-day grace period to upload your renewed tenancy contract/Ejari onto your community portal. If not renewed with the grace period, your cards and account will be deactivated. You can use the Register option to activate your account and thereafter, activate your access cards too.

I am a homeowner and my property is occupied by a tenant. Can I apply for access cards?

No. Access cards are issued to the occupant residing in the property.

What happens to my access card when I leave the property with a valid Move-out Permit?

Your access cards will be deactivated when a Move-out Permit is issued after the move out date.

Can I give my access cards to my friends or visitors to my property?

Access cards are exclusively for residents. Lending access cards to outsiders is not allowed and misuse can lead to deactivation.

Notice of violation

What is a notice of violation?

A notice of violation is a formal citation that a community rule or permit condition has been violated. There are financial penalties too, which vary according to the severity of the violation. For further details about notices of violation and the penalties attached to them, please see notice of violation and penalties.

What do I do if I receive a notice of violation?

As mentioned in the notice of violation, you are required to comply within the time frame specified and ensure that the issue is not repeated in the future. You may also contact ECM on 800 EMAAR (36227) for any clarification you might require.

What happens to the money I pay as a fine?

The fine you pay is treated as community income and is credited to the community accounts.

Noise and disturbances

Someone is making a lot of noise and it’s disturbing me. How do I get them to stop?

You may contact community security 24 hours a day or involve the local authorities for further escalation – call Dubai Police on 999.

My neighbour’s dogs bark loudly during the early hours of the morning and despite many verbal requests, this problem has not been resolved. What else can I do?

You may contact community security 24 hours a day or involve the local authorities, for further escalation – call Dubai Police on 999.

Miscellaneous

I would like to commend a member of your staff. How can I do this?

We love it when you tell us that you feel a member of our staff is worthy of your praise, whether it be a service provider, community coordinator, association manager, cleaner, or landscaper. Please call ECM at 800 EMAAR (36227).

How do I find out about storage facilities available to rent in my community?

Please log in to your portal using the LOG IN button at the top right and select Storage Cage Leasing from the menu. Here you will be able to see the available cages and the relevant leasing fees.

Can I use the common area notice board?

No, it is solely for the use of the community management team to display information relevant to the community.

Can I install light decorations during festivals/holidays?

Yes. You may have decorative lights in your home for a period of up to 10 days on either side of the festival/holiday, but nothing that creates a visible glare from outside the property. For more information, please refer to the community rules.

Is there a mobile application available for property-related services, payments or updates?

Yes. EMAAR ONE is an all-in-one app to manage Emaar properties and book home services from anywhere and anytime. This is available on the App Store and on Google Play. Key features include:
– Move-in and NOC request
– Services fees & installment payments
– Amenities bookings
– Live construction updates
– Voice service requests & status updates
– Home services bookings
– Latest launches, exclusive offers & events
– Digital handover process
NOTE: If you are a new user, you can select the “Need Help?” tab to get your password and enter your registered primary email address in the “Forgot Password” tab.