emlsnre | ExpatWoman.com
 

emlsnre

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Latest post on 11 May 2011 - 16:41
Love Beachcombers too....
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Latest post on 11 May 2011 - 15:32
WIKKID does amazing cakes.
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Latest post on 11 May 2011 - 14:58
Do any of you know where I can find a store that will have this rather than the international cert.? Have looked in a number of places but all say international. TIA
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Latest post on 11 May 2011 - 13:43
Would highly recommend Lord Wandsworth College, in Long Sutton just 30 mins drive from Heathrow has fantastic facilities and results. Have a look at their website - www.lordwandsworth.org. This is where Jonnie Wilkinson went, and he goes back to visit the current pupils. I've met other parents here who have kids there. edited by ShellFC on 10/05/2011 Would second lw... Have friends with kids there, doing very well. It would be on my list if looking for boarding.
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Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 19:57
oh i done a left at the lights today and was driving round there....cheers for that.. same building as Gladys'..... my directions weren't great were they?
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Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 19:54
Bajanqueen,interested in the ipad apps... do you know the names by chance?
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Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 16:07
Thanx Kaussie.. Week 1, Run 2 done and dusted!
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Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 10:24
SB on my Notice to Complete form I just followed the link to use SA Online. Did the registration and then it stated that I wo uld be sent a code in 7 days in order to access the area. In order to register you just use the Tax Reference number that comes at the top of the notification. I am sure as already mentioned alot will probably not be applicable for us, just a case of wading through working out which bits are and aren't.....
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Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 10:21
Depends how well you police it. Our DD has an ipad but doesn't go onto the internet with it. She loves all of the apps and we find it a good balance between todays technology mixed with good old fashioned pen and paper..
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Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 10:16
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr/nr_landlords.htm NRL1 form is what you need as an individual. But as stated if using an agent they should be able to sort this out for you. I filled mine in myself and then HMRC just issued the agent with the exemption code so they didn't deduct any tax from our rental income. HTH's
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Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 10:11
SB don't panic me..... received my notification last week, felt quite chilled about it. Was planning to do it online once they send me the code..... am I going to have the fright of my life when I start it????
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Latest post on 09 May 2011 - 11:50
You go passed Spinneys to the next lights and U Turn, there is a building on the left before you turn which has a new Nursery in it. the building looks empty, but walk in and Gladys is Ground Floor at the back on the right. Probably not the best person to ask really as it was my first manicure. It was about 2 weeks ago, and no sign of any infections!! The varnish has stayed on, the girls in there were lovely and chatty. So all I can say is that I would go back. I think they have other branches in Dubai, but one thing to note is that when I went they only took cash, no cards...
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Latest post on 09 May 2011 - 11:13
Hi There is he one in the building passed Spinneys, it's called Gladys...
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Latest post on 09 May 2011 - 09:44
Good idea... just waiting for Vetcare to get back to me...
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Latest post on 09 May 2011 - 09:18
One of my lads (border terrier) has done himself an injury and hurt his back. I need a decent size crate to put him in while I go out so he can't jump about making it worse. I do have their travel crates but was hoping that somebody may have one of those more open ones so he doesn't feel so closed in. If anyone has one that they are looking to sell or happy to loan for a while please let me know. TIA
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Latest post on 09 May 2011 - 09:17
One of my lads (border terrier) has done himself a mischief and hurt his back. I need a decent size crate to put him in while I go out so he can't jump about making it worse. I do have their travel crates but was hoping that somebody may have one of those more open ones so he doesn't feel so closed in. If anyone has one that they are looking to sell or happy to loan for a while please let me know. Mods, please don't move just yet... I will post on the Pets section but I need one quite quickly and this will have more views... thank you.
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Latest post on 08 May 2011 - 12:16
I started reading this thread a few months ago, thought about it (for too long).... but I turn 40 in 10 days and am determined to improve my fitness before I reach 41.... so have completed Week 1, Run 1 this morning. Determined to stick with it so will be checking in for inspiration ladies....
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Latest post on 05 May 2011 - 19:34
I use Rizatriptan 10mg capsules and travel with them all the time. They were not on the Ministry's banned list as of August last year and you can actually even buy them over the counter here unlike the UK. Hope that helps.
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Latest post on 05 May 2011 - 06:37
You should contact KHDA yourselves. Its 5% as per their ruling of Feb 2009. The only exceptions are nursery schools. Here is one of KHDA's online statements......." As per Article 52.1 of the Private Education bylaw from the Ministry of Education this is illegal and not permissible. The article clearly states that schools can only collect school fees at the beginning of each semester or month and cannot force the parents to pay any fees in advance. However schools seem to be invoicing the parents ahead of the new calendar year to address the issue they face of students switching schools and not returning after the summer break. As a result schools are unable to offer these vacant seats to other children on the waiting list as they have no confirmation from the children leaving. To resolve this issue Article 52.2 allows the school to take a small deposit or registration fee. This deposit or registration fee should not be more than five per cent of the total fees with a maximum of AED500 per child. This means that a school can charge either five per cent of the school fees or AED500 – whichever is lower. This deposit is then subtracted from the school fees if the child returns, but is not refunded if the student does not join the school. Some schools have also asked parents to pay a refundable cautionary deposit to cover any losses or damages incurred by the student. Article 52.7 states that no school can collect a financial guarantee or financial deposit from parents. Mohammed Darwish, Chief of Licensing and Customer Relations for KHDA, said: “Our laws are here to protect both parents and school owners and we expect everyone to respect and abide by them. We ask erring schools to set right the situation and inform the parents accordingly so that we can update their files at KHDA.”. edited by TJC on 04/05/2011 Of course KHDA were many people's first port of call, to reinforce their laws that "protect" us. However, these laws are so flexible they are pointless, especially when you have a relative in high places working for them. So as I said earlier, they had the backing of KHDA. Initially KHDA advised that they couldn't, then we are told to wait as they have to revert to original process, then we still wait as nothing happened, wait a bit more and within a month KHDA did a complete U Turn... amazing.
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Latest post on 04 May 2011 - 19:30
It was only 5% but definitely and are demanding more now with KHDA approval... :( They might be demanding but are they legally allowed to? :) OK, however, they like to phrase it we have just had to pay 10k re-registration fee to hold our place for this coming September. All approved by the relevant authorities. It is basically 27ish% of our years fee 6 months in advance of the school year. So fee upfront, registration whatever they call it they have had it OK'd. Outrageous, but there it is. The remainder paid in equal amounts in 3 post dated cheques for each term.
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Latest post on 04 May 2011 - 19:26
I would be amazed if a pool went in, delighted if it did happen. But am pretty certain that it was asked at the residents meeting pre christmas and the reponse was that there were no plans for a community pool.
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Latest post on 04 May 2011 - 16:27
It was only 5% but definitely and are demanding more now with KHDA approval... :(
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Latest post on 04 May 2011 - 15:32
apparently not anymore.
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Latest post on 04 May 2011 - 12:14
There are no community facilities at The Villa other than a not very well thought out park. Not aware that they will ever be building a community type pool and as for a shop, well we were told last December that one would be completed by May.... no sign of it yet even being started.
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Latest post on 04 May 2011 - 06:30
As QS states look at the rent calculator. It sounds as though he would be entitled to an increase. But if your area is not on the calculator then he is not allowed to increase, from recent dealings with both RERA and RC it is my understanding that a LL needs to give at least 90 days notice if he wishes to make any changes to the next contract... so he may have blown it anyway. <em>edited by emlsnre on 04/05/2011</em>
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Latest post on 03 May 2011 - 17:47
Just as a comparison, we are in a Cordoba (4/5 bed + Maids) internal size bigger than any of the Mazaya A types but no pool. Since Nov our DEWA bills have been anything from 180 upto this month 700. We have had the A/C on the last month. We have no grass and all plants are potted so just use the hose for watering. we are in RI sector, and bill was 800 AED for past few months, dirham more or less...it will probably be more next month, since we have ac on. btw, if u dont mind me asking did u manage to resolve the rental fee hike? Or should we all expect the same...did you here another house has been broken in to last night? We have explained that he can only charge us 20% as a maximum and to justify that we would need to be paying at least 56% below the average rental for the type. RC and RERA have confirmed that he has to renew for another 12 month on the same terms as the first year. Have copied them in on the last email which was over a week ago, but he's gone back into stealth mode now..... so as far as we are concerned we are staying put... Hadn't heard about the break in, that's worrying especially as I read it was occupied. Hope the family was OK and not too traumatised.
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Latest post on 03 May 2011 - 08:31
Just as a comparison, we are in a Cordoba (4/5 bed + Maids) internal size bigger than any of the Mazaya A types but no pool. Since Nov our DEWA bills have been anything from 180 upto this month 700. We have had the A/C on the last month. We have no grass and all plants are potted so just use the hose for watering.
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Latest post on 02 May 2011 - 19:47
I have one that's been used a handful of times, 2 controllers, numchucks, cover for board and a couple of games. Let me know if you are interested can probably let it go for a bit less than half the new price.
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Latest post on 01 May 2011 - 12:06
I think it is wholly owned by Meydan now, standards should still ber very good I would have thought. Looking to venture out there soon too, so hope you have a lovely time and let us know how it went.
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Latest post on 30 April 2011 - 07:42
Im in a slightly different situation and would like to know if anyone has faced a similar dilemma. Our landlord is selling the property and the new owners have told us that they want to move in. Our rent is valid till September and the new landlord wants to move in once our contract is over. We are very happy in our current villa and prefer not to move. Does anyone know if the 12 month notice applies in our situation too? http://www.rpdubai.ae/rpdubai/rentals/for_landlords.do?lang=0 may have some helpful info... but I am sure Claire will be much more informed and will let you know.
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Latest post on 30 April 2011 - 07:35
Well I had a lovely day, and felt very proud watching that lad yesterday. Having seen Charles & Di's wedding and then watching those boys at Di's funeral, it was beautiful to see them yesterday looking so genuinely happy and content. And come on girls, as they repeatedly said yesterday.... If a Royal can now marry a "Commoner" it shows the times have moved on, doesn't matter who does what the best or the worst just that people have learned to accept. Happy Days :)
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Latest post on 29 April 2011 - 10:23
I know, not royalist at all but very excited, even got my first manicure yesterday not bad considering I'm 40 next month..... Dubai has changed me LOL.... x
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Latest post on 29 April 2011 - 10:14
OK, lets just hope now that he is in agreement that there can be no rent increase. Last email he sent he said that they had to insist on the 20% as per RERA. But hopefully he now understands how that bit works.... wait and see I guess.
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Latest post on 29 April 2011 - 09:31
Learning as I go here, so we have the number of cheques under control, getting there with the increase, but he has said that the next contract will state Non-Renewable. I am assuming that he can do that, but does he have to state Non-Renewable and a reason or can he just leave it at Non-Renewable? Don't want to get caught signing something that we don't have to.... thanx
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Latest post on 28 April 2011 - 20:57
Hi Claire, yes we have done just that. Emailed him again explaining that he had not fully understood the 20% business, cc'd the RERA contact so he can see that we are not making it up. So just waiting for the his next move now, hopefully that should put it to bed.
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Latest post on 28 April 2011 - 20:44
Busybee, the RC told us that unless our contract specifically had the wording Non Renewable then we were entitled by law to 12 months notice. So as already said, for your own reassurance get them to look at your contract and tell you. We are still battling.... he has now realised he can't change the qty of cheques, but is insisting that he is entitled to 20% increase. RERA have said there is a max 20% but that depends on different variables none of which he fits so no increase. How difficult is that to understand honestly? We would have to be paying 56% less than the average rental price for our place in order for him to charge 20%.
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Latest post on 28 April 2011 - 05:54
Hahaha I'll come back in and answer this in a few days = after I've met three of them that I didnt know I had for the very first time tomorrow. Wish me luck. How amazing, you must all be so excited. Thinking of you today and look forward to hearing how it went.
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Latest post on 28 April 2011 - 05:50
Lady Claudia Pepe-St.John :)
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Latest post on 27 April 2011 - 21:08
I would speak to the Rent Committee and ask them for guidance. It would seem that regardless what a contract may or may not say there are terms that RC would enforce anyway. So I would start with them and see where that takes you. They have been very helpful with some recent issues we have encountered.
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Latest post on 27 April 2011 - 20:24
I have 2 half sisters, we have had a number of fall outs. Our mum always says we are old enough to get on with it and doesn't feel the need to take sides or get involved which is great. We didn't grow up together but they came at weekends and holidays. When we are having one of our moments (can be years) we still drop a mail at Xmas or Birthdays, we are sisters and love each other just sometimes don't like each other very much... DH has a sister that thinks he should be more into her family and that he isn't interested. Despite sending cards on birthdays and Xmas, sending gifts, phoning on her birthday and the kids he is a cr*p brother and according to her people tell her that she should just forget she has a sibling... WTF?? I think sometimes people forget that as we grow up we develop our own families and lives. It doesn't mean that the ones we had as kids aren't still important, just that the focus is on our own family. It doesn't mean we don't still love siblings and theirs just don't have the need to live in each others pockets. I think that like real true friends it is great when you haven't seen each other for ages but just pick up as though it was yesterday.
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Latest post on 25 April 2011 - 14:52
Haven't yet got confirmation re increase in the first two years. But know that if we are paying less than or equal to 25% of the average rent for the type then it can not be increased. If it were more than the 25% then he would be entitled to ask only for a 5% increase on a sliding scale to a maximum of 20%. Had seen the calculator thanks SABC but it doesn't cover our area just yet. <em>edited by emlsnre on 25/04/2011</em>
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Latest post on 25 April 2011 - 08:36
RC say as below he has to take the 4 cheques and cannot demand 1. RC have told us to talk to RERA re the increase, so now trying to find somebody there who can tell us if there is a limit. We have only been able to find the cap for 2008/2009 so don't know if there is one for this year. I can't imagine that they would consider a 25% increase reasonable when the same houses here are going for the same maybe a few thousand more than we currently pay. Have no doubt he is just trying it on, so we just want to make sure we are correct in our reply to him. If he offered to compensate us to move then that is something we would of course consider, but not prepared to just pay out thousands every ear in moving.
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Latest post on 25 April 2011 - 06:42
Yes they were very helpful. They advised us that regardless him wanting to move in himself, he has to give us 12 months notice. So as advised we wrote to him informing us as per our contract we were giving him 60 days notice of our intent to renew for another year. Unless it specifically states the contract is non renewable the contract will automatically renew. So we finally got a response from him. Agreeing that he will renew and that he has the new contract for signing, but the rent has increased 25% and where we are paying by 4 cheques he now says it all has to be done in 1. Should have checked with the RC about him being able to do this, from what I have heard he is not allowed to do so, but before we reply just want to make sure that we are 100% in what we are saying. If the RC say he can well that's that. Just want what is fair, we have had agents fees, landscaping costs, months of snagging that has been painful.... and as we are new to Dubai another move so quickly will be quite unsettling for our DD. Will keep you posted once we have spoken to RC..
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Latest post on 23 April 2011 - 16:50
Oh dear, I did this as a child. By the time I was 14 my jaw starting locking and cronking. Had 2 or 3 different molds done to wear of a night time, these were made to fit by an Orthodontist (sp?). He finally operated on my jaw when I was 16, as I had worn part of the joint and the whole left side was very unstable. So although in all likelihood it is a wobbly tooth episode it may be worth getting it checked just in case..
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Latest post on 23 April 2011 - 10:44
I heard a Cordoba in Phase 1 was 2.4 which then went to the 6million mark at peak for Phase 2. Not sure about Valencia, if I see the owner I'll see if they mind sharing. Guess that's the reason alot of the finished ones are empty as the owners don't want to make the final payment as they've lost so much money...
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Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 13:03
It is annoying and very frustrating... Haven't had it happen here, but we were in France one year and so had used the card there. When we got home, I was expecting a larger than average bill as we'd been on hols, but when I looked at it closely a total of £2500 over a 4 day period had been taken in Canada!! I would have expected them to twig that if the card was being used in France that it wouldn't also be able to be used in a different country the same day! Long and short of it was that we had to pay for it and then claim it back. It was painful and toof about 2 months, as the first payment they returned we had lost out on due to the difference in exchange rates... clearly it is something Amex aren't used to dealing with. Similar happened to my father, but his was with VISA and they were superb called him as they'd seen he'd used it in the UK and then it had been used in Malaysia the same day. Didn't have to pay a penny... Best of luck with it all.
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Latest post on 19 April 2011 - 08:24
That's a bit creepy isn't it. I would report it to security but also follow it up with Dubai Asset Management (I think it is them who are responsible here). Make it clear that you expect Security to be making sure who they are letting through the gate (we have seen some very dubious looking people slowly driving around) and that a reminder to people working here that this will not be tolerated. Maybe, worth asking your neighbours (if you have any yet) if they have seen anyone hanging around. Difficult not to think too much about it, but try not to let it worry you too much...
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Latest post on 17 April 2011 - 15:31
Have lived here since June. Where we moved from was in the middle of nowhere so not having conveniences doesn't worry us. We love it because we can get to most places either side or central Dubai all within 20/25 mins. Value for money wise I think you would be hard pushed to find better for your buck. It is my understanding that there are no plans for a community pool, there is a park but it is not the best and isn't very well located. They said last year that a shop would be up and running by May.... still no sign of works starting on that though. Phase 1 landscaping is almost complete, Villas in this Phase are almost impossible to get hold of now. We have been very happy here to date, have met some great friends and everyone has been helpful. It's a nice place, albeit for the most part still alot of building underway. Snagging of property has been like pulling teeth unfortunately. If I had to choose again, it would still be here.:)
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Latest post on 16 April 2011 - 13:36
that I don't know about? Went shopping at MCC today, I purchased items in 2 different shops and each of them added an extra 5aed to the sale price. I thought I had added it wrongly so I said to the first one and immediately before I could finish had deducted the 5aed. The 2nd shop started to process my card and I asked her to recalcuate and again she adjusted the price. As I was walking out I saw her talking to a colleague laughing and shrugging her shoulders whilst watching me leave.. Anyone else had this?
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Latest post on 14 April 2011 - 14:06
I think I have seen one in Mirdiff City Centre, if not then it is something very similar.