Page Category: Lifestyle

Community service fee

There are various ways you can pay the community service fee relating to your property:
• By credit card or cheque
• Self-service kiosk at customer happiness centre in Emaar Square, building 2
• Online payment
• Emaar One mobile application
• Credit control department in Emaar Square
• Bank transfer

The community service fee consists of the following four components:
• General fund
• Capital reserve fund
• Special levy
• Master community levy
General fund
The general fund consists of the day-to-day operating and administrative expenses used to maintain your community, whether you live in an apartment or villa.
Capital reserve fund
The capital reserve fund has been established for the costs incurred in the repair and replacement of capital items no longer under warranty.
Special levy
The special levy is a one-off charge for items not in the design or those not covered under the general fund.
Master community levy
A master community levy is charged to each community and other non-residential entities. This charge forms part of your CSF and covers items such as sewage treatment plants and maintenance of the master community infrastructure.
For more details, visit the community service fee section.

All communities need to be maintained regularly in order to retain their value and prevent minor damage and deterioration from developing into major problems. As per clause 52, part 8, finances, of the direction for association constitution, issued in accordance with law no 27 of 2007, concerning jointly owned properties in the Emirate of Dubai, an owners association must establish a general fund and a reserve fund. The capital reserve fund has been established for the costs incurred in the repair and replacement of capital items no longer under warranty.
Examples of this would be asphalt repair, replacement of pumps, play equipment, palm trees, and other assets. It is vitally important to have a robust fund to guarantee not only the smooth running of the community but also ensures property values are maintained well into the future.

Our budgeting team considers the following aspects when calculating the community service fee (CSF):
Historical expenses
We evaluate actual expense trends from the previous year based on individual cost items. Depending upon the operational plan, we decide whether or not to include them again in the following year’s budget.
Resource allocation on site
We periodically review resources on-site to find ways of improving performance by employing new technology and operational methods based on international best practices.
Service provider contracts
By regularly reviewing service provider contracts, we can evaluate key areas of improvement such as performance and cost savings.
Capital asset evaluation (maintenance, repair, and replacements)
Capital assets that are no longer under the manufacturer’s warranty are regularly reviewed for major maintenance or replacement.
Provision for doubtful debts
This amount allows for the setting aside of a small portion of CSF collections as a provision in case certain receivables are required to be written off in the future.
Surplus/deficit adjustment from previous years
Finally, any surpluses or deficits from previous years are brought into consideration during the determination of the CSF rate for the current year.

Throughout the course of the year, your community generates an income by way of a variety of channels. This helps us to reduce overall costs to you. These sources of income include:
Access cards: The access cards used by residents to enter their community or the parking areas are provided to homeowners at a small cost and the income generated from these is credited to the community’s account.
Marketing and distribution permit fees: The community is often the target of marketing for many small and medium-sized businesses. To ensure that only legitimate businesses gain access to the community to promote their goods and services, we regulate activity with the provision of a permit that allows the distribution of promotional material. An administration fee of AED 1000 (plus VAT) per application is collected as income to the community.
Notices of violation/vandalism penalties: To ensure adherence to community rules and architectural codes, notices of violation are issued along with penalties to those who fail to comply. Private contractors are also given notices of violation if they breach any community rule or carry out activities that contravene their entry permits. Vandalism is a serious offense, and persons who vandalize community property are penalized and reported to the local law enforcement authorities. Funds from such penalties form part of the income to the community.
Miscellaneous income: The miscellaneous fund is income generated from other avenues such as interest earned on-call accounts, bounced cheque charges, and revenue from community market days.

If you have not received your community service fee invoice then you are required to update your email and phone numbers urgently by visiting your community portal. 
As of 2016, invoices for community service charges are not being sent by post but only via email.

Delayed/non-payment of the CSF has the potential to deprive your community of the funds required to continue the supply of essential services such as common area maintenance, air-conditioning, security, street lighting, and irrigation.
CSF defaulter awareness campaigns as well as the suspension of non-essential services such as access cards and waste collection have proved useful measures in boosting the collection of outstanding dues. In some cases, a debt recovery agency has been appointed to supplement our actions. The community can also restrict certain approvals for unit sales and alterations until the outstanding community service fees have been paid.

Home modifications

No. Please contact ECM at 800 EMAAR (36227).

Any alteration to the villa has to be approved by Emaar. Please log onto your community portal and select ‘Home Modifications’ from the sidebar to apply for an NOC. 

Please refer to the community rules for more information on this matter.

You, as the homeowner, are responsible for the necessary repair and replacement of the DEWA meter cabinets serving the villa, to ensure community aesthetics are maintained.

Any cabling and switch equipment within your unit from and including the unit’s distribution board is the unit owner’s responsibility. The unit owner is also responsible for the payment of their own electricity bill. The supply of electricity from the mainline into the building to your unit is the responsibility of the community manager.

For urgent matters, please contact community security on 056 188 9664. For non-urgent issues, the easiest way to tell us is to call us on 800 EMAAR (36227).

Yes. Please log onto your community portal and select ‘Home Modifications’ from the sidebar to apply for an NOC. Any alteration to the villa has to be approved by Emaar. Please contact 800 EMAAR (36227) for further details and to begin the necessary approval process.

Fencing on boundary walls (approved and as per design) is the responsibility of the villa owner and must be properly maintained and kept in good condition at all times.

Owners are responsible for the maintenance of villa boundary walls with the exception of the surfaces of outward-facing villa boundary walls, which form part of the common area of the community and are maintained by the community manager. However, structural issues such as repair and reinstatement of walls broken and cracks caused by Damas trees within private gardens are the responsibility of the owner to bring the wall back to its original condition as per design.

Yes. Please log onto your community portal and select ‘Home Modifications’ from the sidebar to apply for an NOC. Any alteration to the villa has to be approved by Emaar. Please contact 800 EMAAR (36227) for further details and to begin the necessary approval process.

Changes to the exterior of the villa are not permitted nor can lights be installed on top of or on the community-facing side of villa boundary walls. For further information, please check the community rules, clause 6.2.2

For urgent matters, please contact community security on 056 188 9664. For non-urgent issues, the easiest way to tell us is to call us on 800 EMAAR (36227).

Owners are responsible for proper home maintenance including the carport area. Most often, subsiding interlock in villa carports is a sign of an underground water leak or maybe the result of degradation caused by excessive water usage during car washing. We recommend you appoint a service provider to investigate and rectify the issue at the earliest. Refer to the car washing flyer for more information.

Top 10 questions

These FAQs have been put together to provide a quick reference for some of the most common topics you might be interested in knowing about your community.

Do you want to find out about hosting a party in one of the common areas? The first steps in making an alteration to your home? Or perhaps you’d like some information about pets? Scroll through and click on one of the questions/links to get an answer.

Our top 10 questions are based on statistics taken from our customer happiness centre, so hopefully that’s the best place for you to start looking.

Yes. You must ensure all members of your household staff are sponsored by you or that they are hired through a professional agency. According to local law, a person can only work for you as a maid or another household staff member, if he/she is sponsored by you OR if you hire the services of an individual through a reputable agency.
You cannot employ a person on someone else’s sponsorship, even if they obtain a NOC from their sponsor. This is illegal and you could be fined up to AED 100,000 by the local authorities. Refer to the household staff fact sheet.

You may contact our service providers, Take My Junk on 800 JUNK (5865), or Remove My Junk on 055 549 1122.

We request you to maintain caution when washing your carport or vehicles and please do not use excessive amounts of water – all hoses must have a cut-off valve. Please also limit the use of harsh or corrosive cleaning agents as they play a major role in causing damage to the roads and pathways as well as being harmful to the environment.
No water run-off should be observed from your property into the common area—whether from washing your car, carport, or terrace area. If you do clean your carport or car, please sweep up any dust, sand, or dirt from the area first and dispose of it in your dustbin before you begin washing (staff should use a bucket and cloth to wash cars or a broom to clean carports and terraces). Under no circumstances may your vehicle be washed in the common area of the community. Refer to the car washing guidelines.

Yes, there is a 24/7 security helpdesk available at Emaar South. For any concerns, you may contact community security on 056 188 9664.

Please refer to the community rules, which state that private functions of no more than eight guests can be held at the park nearest to the unit of the homeowner/resident hosting the event. For larger numbers of guests, residents must first obtain permission from the community manager. Please call ECM at 800 EMAAR (36227) to tell us details of the date, time, venue, and the number of guests. We encourage you to contact ECM at least one week in advance of your intended event.
While planning your gathering please note that there are no electrical power outlets in any of our community parks.
Kindly note that we are unable to exclusively reserve any area of the community for parties or gatherings. Please adhere to the following guidelines when enjoying the common area facilities:
• Please do not conduct any activities that may disturb other residents.
• Do not use inflatable play items or any equipment that requires the use of power extensions.
• The serving of alcohol or related items is prohibited at all times.
• Children (under 16 years of age) must be under adult(s) supervision at all times – neither ECM nor the service provider will be liable for any unfortunate accidents or claims.
• The area should be cleaned and all personal belongings/party materials/items removed.
• You will also be liable to pay for any damage to the premises and a notice of violation may be issued.
• Neither ECM nor our service provider will be held responsible for the loss of any personal effects.
• Parking on pavements, gardens, or any lawn area, and anywhere that obstructs a pedestrian’s right of way or access to a villa, is strictly prohibited.
• Violating vehicles will be towed away at the vehicle owner’s expense. ECM/security possesses the complete authority to halt any activity, which does not adhere to the above guidelines and does not comply with the master community rules.

Our budgeting team considers the following aspects when calculating the community service fee (CSF):
Historical expenses
We evaluate actual expense trends from the previous year based on individual cost items. Depending upon the operational plan, we decide whether or not to include them again in the following year’s budget.
Resource allocation on site
We periodically review resources on-site to find ways of improving performance by employing new technology and operational methods based on international best practices.
Service provider contracts
By regularly reviewing service provider contracts, we can evaluate key areas of improvement such as performance and cost savings.
Capital asset evaluation (maintenance, repair, and replacements)
Capital assets that are no longer under the manufacturer’s warranty are regularly reviewed for major maintenance or replacement.
Provision for doubtful debts
This amount allows for the setting aside of a small portion of CSF collections as a provision in case certain receivables are required to be written off in the future.
Surplus/deficit adjustment from previous years
Finally, any surpluses or deficits from previous years are brought into consideration during the determination of the CSF rate for the current year.

No. Please contact ECM at 800 EMAAR (36227).

You may contact community security on 056 188 9664, 24 hours a day, or involve the local authorities for further escalation.

Visitors’ parking is for the short term only, after which, cars may be tagged and towed at the owner’s expense. For visitors who wish to park for longer periods, please contact community security on 056 188 9664.

Community service fee

Timely payment of the community service fee helps keep your community’s services ticking smoothly.

Community service fee

The community service fee (CSF) is the homeowner’s annual contribution towards the common expenditure of the community. The CSF is based on the estimated annual expenditure of the community for the operation and maintenance of its common property and assets.

Your CSF invoice gives you a detailed breakdown of how we arrive at the CSF for the year. We also send out an information pack with further details about each community relating to the previous year, with news of key events and developments.

Note: If you are a homeowner and would like to refer the latest CSF information pack, log into this website with your credentials to read it.

What are the main components of my CSF?

General fund

It consists of day-to-day operating and administrative expenses used to maintain your community. Operational expenses include the maintenance, utility costs and management of everything from common area infrastructure and landscaping, to waste collection and signage placement.

Capital reserve fund

It was established to pay for costs incurred in the repair and replacement of significant capital items. For villa communities, this includes community gatehouses, pavements, amenities like play areas or sports courts and other common areas. For apartment communities, this includes elevator and chiller replacements, flooring, painting and cladding of buildings.

Special levy

This is a one-off charge for items not in the design or those not covered under the general fund. For example, if you require an additional facility such as a play area or a swimming pool, the cost for this will be covered by the special levy.

Master community levy

This charge is paid through the CSF and covers items such as plants and the maintenance of the master community infrastructure including roads, underground services, storm drains, sewage lines and pavements.

Value added tax (VAT)

Value added tax (VAT) has an impact on your community service fees (CSF) as it includes several items such as maintenance services, utilities, insurance, etc. This means that the VAT collected as part of your CSF will then be paid to the Federal Tax Authority.

How VAT works:
  • Homeowner – All homeowners are charged 5% VAT payable to ECM
  • Emaar Community Management (ECM) – ECM pays 5% VAT to relevant suppliers and service providers.
  • Federal Tax Authority – ECM pays the difference between the VAT collected from customers and VAT paid to suppliers to FTA. Suppliers and service providers also pay a 5% VAT to FTA.

    Source: Federal Decree Law No. 8 of 2017 & Cabinet Decision No. 52 of 2017

How the community service fee is calculated

Our budgeting team considers the following aspects when calculating the community service fee (CSF).

Historical expenses

We evaluate actual expense trends from the previous year based on individual cost items. Depending upon the operational plan, we decide whether or not to include them again in the following year’s budget.

Resource allocation on site

We periodically review resources on site to find ways of improving performance by employing new technology and operational methods based on international best practices.

Service provider contracts

By regularly reviewing service provider contracts, we can evaluate key areas of improvement such as performance and cost savings. This helps us to determine future budgets and predict expenses.

Capital assets evaluation (maintenance, repair and replacements)

Capital assets that are no longer under manufacturer’s warranty are regularly reviewed for major maintenance or replacement. Essential equipment, such as sewage pumping stations and/or similar items, support the overall infrastructure of the community.

Provision for doubtful debts

This amount allows for the setting aside of a small portion of CFS collections as a provision in case certain receivables are required to be written off in the future.

Surplus/deficit adjustment from previous years

Finally, any surpluses or deficits from previous years are brought into consideration during the determination of the CSF rate for the current year.

Community income

In addition to the CSF, the community has a few other revenue streams that also contribute to its income.

Parking access cards

The cards used by residents to enter their building or parking areas are provided to homeowners at a small cost and the income generated is credited to the community’s account.

Marketing and distribution permit fee

To ensure that only legitimate businesses gain access to the community, we regulate activity with the provision of a permit that allows the distribution of promotional material. An administration fee is collected and booked as income to the community.

Violation penalty

To ensure adherence to the community rules and architectural codes, NOVs are issued along with violation penalties to those who fail to comply.

Miscellaneous income

This is income generated from other avenues such as interest earned on call accounts or bounced cheque charges.

How can you pay?

You can pay your community service fee through a variety of easy payment methods.

Online
  • Log into this website from anywhere, any time.
  • Online banking services (account holders only): Log on to your personal online bank account at RAKBANK, Mashreq Bank, Emirates NBD or Dubai Islamic Bank and follow the payment instructions.
Self–service kiosks
  • Make cheque and credit/debit card payments using our interactive payment kiosk located at the customer happiness centre in Emaar Square, Building 2.
Direct bank transfer
  • Directly transfer funds from your bank account to the community bank account as detailed on the front of your CSF invoice.
Auto pay
  • Setup auto pay instructions for payment of future invoices on their due dates.
  • Please follow the online payment link on the invoice and log in for setting up.

What happens if you don’t pay

Your community boasts a strong collection rate, one of the highest in the emirate. However, there are still a few homeowners who delay in their payment, which ultimately affects the wider community as well as simply being unfair to those who pay promptly. If you continue to default on your payments, we may be forced to take one or all of the following actions:

  • Suspension of non-emergency services to your property.
  • Denial of services including non-issuance of NOC for transfer of property, visa renewal, access cards etc.
  • Referral of the case to a professional debt recovery agency.
  • Initiation of legal action.

As stated in the sales and purchase agreement, payment of the CSF in full and on time is the obligation of every homeowner. Delay/non-payment of the CSF has the potential to deprive your community of the funds required to continue the supply of essential services such as common area maintenance, air-conditioning, security, waste collection, street lighting and irrigation.

Pool safety

Remember to always exercise caution when at the pool to ensure everyone has a great time:

  • Never leave babies or children alone or in the care of another child, while in or near pools, spas, or wading pools – or near bath tubs or other open bodies of water.
  • An infant can drown in just one inch of water – make sure the supervising adult is always within arm’s length of the child with their full attention focused on them at all times.
  • The supervising adult should not be engaged in distracting activities, such as talking on a telephone, socialising or tending to household chores.
  • Parents and caregivers should learn CPR or BLS (Basic Life Support).
  • Supervising adults should make sure they do not leave any pool toys in the water as a child could fall in while trying to retrieve them.
  • Toddlers and children with seizure disorders are particularly vulnerable to drowning, but all youngsters are in danger if unsupervised in or near water.
  • Even a child who knows how to swim may drown a few feet from safety.
  • Consuming alcohol at a public swimming pool is against the law.
  • If you have any illness or infection (such as a cold, sore throat, athlete’s foot or diarrhoea), please don’t spread it around; once you are better, you can use the pool again.
  • Visit the bathroom before you use the pool!
  • Take children on bathroom breaks or check diapers every 30 to 60 minutes.
  • Change diapers in the bathroom or diaper-changing area and not at the poolside, where germs can get into the water.
  • Wash your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers.
  • Shower with soap before you start swimming (then rinse yourself under the shower at the pool before you swim).
  • Don’t swallow the water you swim in.

Pets

Emaar South is a pet-friendly community – but it’s important to ensure that your animal friends never disturb other residents:

  • Dogs must always be kept on a leash when outside the boundaries of your home.
  • Any dog waste deposited in the community must be promptly removed and properly discarded in a sanitary manner by the dog handler.
  • All pets must wear appropriate identification tags at all times when outdoors.
  • Dog owners must ensure their animals do not make an unreasonable amount of noise or disturb neighbouring residents.
  • Abandoning pets is strictly forbidden and offenders will be reported to the authorities. If you cannot commit to caring for a pet, do not get one.
  • Refer to the pet etiquette fact sheet to learn more about pet care guidelines in your community.

Pest control

Keep your home pest-free by following a few simple steps

  • Do not leave buckets, pet bowls, containers or any other objects where water can stagnate outside your home.
  • Fountains and water features should have moving water. If not in use, the entire water feature must be drained and emptied.
  • Do not allow excess water to accumulate in planter boxes.
  • Clean out bird baths and bird feeders daily and replenish with fresh water.
  • Do not leave empty cardboard boxes lying around your porch or lawn – they maintain the ideal moisture and temperature for pests like cockroaches to thrive.
  • Do not leave food out for strays in the community – it attracts even more pests. Moreover, pet food is often reinforced with micronutrients like vitamin K that may help rodents help build immunity and develop resistance to rat poisons.
  • Collect fruits as soon as they fall from trees in your garden.
  • Dog waste can offer flies a breeding ground for weeks – ensure that any waste produced by your pets is discarded in the provided dog bins.
  • Refer to the pest control fact sheet for more information.

Landscaping

Here are some tips from our landscaping team to help you keep your landscaping lush and healthy.

  • Maintain a mowing height of 2.5 to 3 inches but during summer, increase this to 3 or 3.5 inches to reduce water loss from your soil.
  • Check your irrigation system for leaks periodically.
  • Water your landscaping as per its requirements and not just every day.
  • Apply water directly to the roots of plants to minimise evaporation and water runoff.
  • Avoid mid-day watering – instead, water in the early hours before sunrise to lessen water loss through evaporation and daytime winds.
  • Choose plants that are native to the arid climate of the Middle East and require less water such as desert rose, flame trees, bougainvillea, neem, palms and hibiscus.
  • Make adjustments to watering durations as needed; for example, shaded or protected areas may need less water than patches that are always under the sun.
  • For better efficiency, install a drip irrigation system to minimise evaporation.
  • Water brown spots by hand and check your irrigation system; lawns usually develop brown spots because of faults in the sprinkler system.
  • Planting seeds in the common areas (outside the boundary of your villa) is prohibited.
  • Refer to the landscaping fact sheet for more information.

Home fixes

If you run into plumbing or electrical hitches in and around your home, here are a few points to keep in mind.

  • Use the shutoff valves under or behind the sink to turn off water to a faulty fixture.
  • If you notice a leak in the bath or shower, stop using it, turn off the water at the fixture and arrange for a repair service.
  • If there is a leak in the water heater, use the shutoff valve on top of the heater to turn off the water before draining the unit.
  • If you notice water spots, try to trace the leaks to one location (toilet, sink or tub) and turn off the water to that fixture. Arrange for service through a third party provider.
  • If a power outage occurs, inspect all circuit breakers. If a breaker is damaged, arrange for service. If they’re not damaged, turn them all off and back on again, one at a time.
  • If there is no power to an outlet, check if it is connected to a wall switch that has not been turned on before you inspect the circuit breakers. Reset any that may have turned off.
  • If a hanging light fixture does not work, a connection along the circuit may be broken. Check if wall switches, circuit breakers and the bulb has been installed properly.
  • If you have a stuck window, use a putty or plastic knife to gently score the edges and prise the window open. Once open, apply a thin layer of paraffin wax around the edges.
  • If you’re getting an odour around your home after a vacation, the drain pipes may have dried up. Try pouring water down the drains.
  • Indoor plants may release an odour if left unattended for long periods. Inspect your plants and prune any rotting parts if necessary.
  • A buildup of dust and moisture can cause exhaust fan to spin slowly. Clean the fans periodically to ensure optimal performance.
  • Clean the railings of any sliding doors occasionally with a toothbrush and then vacuum to remove accumulated grime.
  • Clean mildew spots with a three percent solution of hydrogen peroxide for a quick fix.
  • If you need to increase the flow pressure of your taps, fit them with aerators – they save water too. Simply unscrew the spout, and screw the aerator onto the tap.

Holiday tips

Here are a few things you can do to secure your home before leaving for vacation.

  • Turn off your water supply till you are back. This will prevent any leaks that could damage your property.
  • Ask a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on your home while you’re away.
  • Secure your home effectively; close and lock all windows and doors.
  • Discontinue newspaper subscriptions and deliveries to your home.
  • Give a key to a trusted friend or neighbour so they can check your villa periodically.
  • Do not leave unsecured items on your balcony/terrace that can be easily removed.
  • If you have a burglar or intrusion alarm, activate it.
  • Lock all valuables and cash in an approved and securely fastened safe.
  • Unplug all unnecessary appliances such as televisions, stereos and personal computers (take care not to turn off the power to any alarm systems).
  • Unplug or turn off the ringer on all telephones and answering machines.
  • Refer to the home safety tips fact sheet for more information.

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