Dubai: Residents living in apartments in the Green community have complained of a rat infestation after more than 20 dead rats were found in false ceilings.
Residents of Garden West Block D have been grappling with the issue for months during which they were forced to live with rat droppings, foul smells, and dead rats falling from their false ceilings.
The issue has been reported to community maintenance company Serve U, and Union Properties and Properties Investment, joint developers of the community.
Gulf News contacted Properties Investment, but was unable to get a comment at the time of going to print.
“I moved in on May 2 and when I was checking the apartment, the real estate agent told me that the bad smell was from old furniture inside the apartment as the air-conditioning was turned off. After I moved in, the minute I entered the corridor, I could not breathe because of the smell,” said Cesar Muhanna, a Lebanese resident living on the first floor of Block D.
He calling the maintenance company to open up the false ceiling in his apartment and was shocked to see two dead rats drop down on to the floor.
“I immediately complained to Union Properties and Dubai Municipality, who sent three people to investigate. They confirmed there is a rat issue in the building,” Muhanna said.
After more complaints by annoyed residents, the maintenance company set up rat traps in the false ceilings of public areas in the building, and inside a few of the apartments upon request.
The foul smell in the public areas indicated the presence of dead rats, residents told Gulf News.
Emirati-Syrian resident Basil Kadara, who lives in Block D, said he first noticed the issue when it started raining earlier this year.
“Every time it started raining, I would hear cracking sounds in the false ceiling, and my dog would start barking,” he said.
Kadara described the rat issue in his building as an ongoing “battle” that has been neglected by the developer.
He pointed out that the building has an opening that connects to the kitchen, which he believes gives the rats easy access to the false ceilings of apartments.
“A few weeks after I had a pest control company set up rat traps in my ceiling, the foul smell returned. I had them come back to check on the traps and found 17 dead rats. I instantly threw up and had to leave the house,” Kadara said.
Kadara said he cannot afford to switch off his air-conditioner, as the smell is very quick to spread around his apartment. He said the problem persists.
Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, is leaving the building after his notice period expires in July.
“I faced a similar issue with rats, and had contacted the landlord and management, who said they will follow up and resolve the issue. They are trying to investigate the problem, which could be linked to the fresh air duct. I have asked the landlord to cancel my contract and will be leaving soon,” he said.
