starsouthern | ExpatWoman.com
 

starsouthern

starsouthern
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Latest post on 03 June 2012 - 20:44
I hope this won't happen .... if the landlord refused to renew the contract ... but thought I'd ask - have posted on a different thread too: We have just been visited by a potential buyer of the villa we are living in for the past (nearly) 2 years. Our rent is up end of June and have no intention of moving out. We will then be considering to renew the contract for the 3rd year. what rights do we have now if the Villa gets sold and the new landlord himself wants to move in? We have put in writing our intention to extend our contract with the current landlord (thru agency) - what could happen if (God forbid) they refuse to extend the contract for another year or two?? Please help - really don't want to start stressing out but we are tired of moving houses and have finally find a place we really like...... RERA told me they have to give you 12months notice from either the end of current contract or beginning of new one. If they refuse to give you a new contract then you take your current contract and cheques to the rent committee and lodge it with them.
starsouthern
1618
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Latest post on 03 June 2012 - 20:37
Hi, Does anyone know how much the visa costs for a baby (British Passport) born in the UK? Not sure if our PRO is charging us extra costs. Many thanks. All children's visa's cost the same no matter where they are born.
starsouthern
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Latest post on 03 June 2012 - 20:11
Sounds wonderful, Rubbadubber, really anxious to make that Pecan Pie. Just one thing, what is corn syrup, is it available here and if not, is there a substitute to be found here, please? Yes you can find it in the baking isle with the golden syrup. Unfortunately Seafire no longer have key lime pie:( it was just like one from Key West
starsouthern
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Latest post on 03 June 2012 - 20:04
Change does happen one family at a time. I know it's not the same situation but when my maid/nanny had her baby the first thing they bought was a car seat. Why because they had seen how both my neighbor and I wouldn't even go to the shop without having the kids strapped in. When she asked me why I explained. My daughter used to scream in her seat from the moment she got in until we got to our destination. My maid asked why I didn't take her out and I explained I'd rathere have her screaming for 30 minutes than never have her scream again. As parents it is our job to keep our children safe. Yes we all make mistakes, and get second, third or fourth chances to fix our mistakes. In a car accident you don't get a second chance.
starsouthern
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Latest post on 03 June 2012 - 14:30
We also don't have problems. The office depot always has stock.
starsouthern
1618
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Latest post on 03 June 2012 - 13:09
Quickies are the adhesive or tape extenaions from HairDreams. They also do tape extensions from Sangra. If you google tape or adhesive extensions you'll get lots of reviews
starsouthern
1618
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Latest post on 02 June 2012 - 13:19
I've been here 15 years and have never seen a camel spider! House spiders yes but not often we had many more insects in the Springs compared to the Ranches.
starsouthern
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Latest post on 02 June 2012 - 13:10
I'd go for the Juke Thanks starsouthern - any particular reason why? I like the way it looks and hate my 5 door Pajero so would never buy a 2 door one.
starsouthern
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Latest post on 02 June 2012 - 13:02
We spend between 800-1500 a week if we plan meals but far more if we don't. We have 3 kids and a cat this includes nappies, wipes and formula. I do buy all local but the other day the nappies were 8 dhs cheaper in spinneys compared to Carrefour. I find Geant just as expensive as Spinneys. My same toilet paper in union co op is more expensive than in spinneys. I work full time too so just don't have time to go to 5 different shops for a weekly shop. <em>edited by starsouthern on 02/06/2012</em>
starsouthern
1618
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Latest post on 02 June 2012 - 11:55
I'd go for the Juke
starsouthern
1618
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Latest post on 02 June 2012 - 11:39
The new Renault Duster is quite nice for a cheap 4x4 it has Nissan parts so not expensive to repair bottom of the range is AED 48600 top of the range was AED 64000 this is brand new. Colleague bought one and loves it she replaced her 2 door Pajero with it. I have a 5 door Pajero and have to say running it is expensive, I paid 2900 dhs for 80k service and no parts needed changing! I used to have a trail blazer and the most I paid for servicing was 1800 with several parts being changed. <em>edited by starsouthern on 02/06/2012</em>
starsouthern
1618
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Latest post on 02 June 2012 - 11:32
No he can't do it but he can tell building security to not let any other cleaning company in. If you are not sponsoring your cleaner he can report her and by the sounds of it probably will.
starsouthern
1618
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Latest post on 31 May 2012 - 21:40
Sisters beauty lounge in Dubsi Mall have clip in extensions too.
starsouthern
1618
Posts
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Latest post on 31 May 2012 - 21:39
I wouldn't go there for a hair cut but they do excellent blow drys!
starsouthern
1618
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Latest post on 31 May 2012 - 20:21
When I lived in Abu Dhabi that used to happen all the time with taxi drivers even sitting in the back. You used to get drivers taking photos of their sons out saying you have nice friend marry my son? Nice one like you. Or you married? How many children? You ask dr for pill for boy children only.
starsouthern
1618
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Latest post on 28 May 2012 - 11:37
No problem, just to let you know no matter the reason even the landlord moving in themselves they have to give 12 months notice for tenant to vacate.
starsouthern
1618
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Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 22:34
My reply got deleted I can give you an idea if you email me star dot southern at y mail dot com (no spaces) <em>edited by starsouthern on 27/05/2012</em>
starsouthern
1618
Posts
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Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 20:22
Eight years ago it was free but now no idea sorry
starsouthern
1618
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 20:06
There's a five year gap between my first and second and a two year gap between second and third they all get on really well! Oldest loves being boss man ?
starsouthern
1618
Posts
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Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 19:57
Good luck xx
starsouthern
1618
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 19:56
Oh, really glad it looks as if it's getting sorted. Any news from the PRO at the horsepiddle? lol no we'll hear from him tomorrow but even if he can get it done through his contacts at Baraha Hospital we will still get our marriage certificate legalised through the court. Now FX for a good judge inshallah. Mum and dad are sitting on call to come over lol Check that your witnesses both don't have to be male or related to you. I had to have my wedding cert approved by the AD court 8 years ago and I had to have two male Muslims who were at the wedding who were not related to me come and verify that they saw us get married. They didn't check documentation so used a local friend who was at the wedding and he grabbed some guy from the hall and told him to just say yes! Yeh we were told at the court today that AD can be difficult for this procedure. Were told any witnesses male or female and it can be family members also. How do you prove though that these people were at the wedding though thats what I'm confused about! It was ridiculous the judge asked "do you know these people?" they both said "Yes," Judge asks "where are they from?" guy we didn't know turned around and asked where you guys from? I answered Judge asked were you at the wedding they both said yes and that was it! He stamped and signed the letter!
starsouthern
1618
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 19:48
Does a girl on a budget find a nice real leather bag? Thanks! What's the budget?
starsouthern
1618
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 19:47
Oh, really glad it looks as if it's getting sorted. Any news from the PRO at the horsepiddle? lol no we'll hear from him tomorrow but even if he can get it done through his contacts at Baraha Hospital we will still get our marriage certificate legalised through the court. Now FX for a good judge inshallah. Mum and dad are sitting on call to come over lol Check that your witnesses both don't have to be male or related to you. I had to have my wedding cert approved by the AD court 8 years ago and I had to have two male Muslims who were at the wedding who were not related to me come and verify that they saw us get married. They didn't check documentation so used a local friend who was at the wedding and he grabbed some guy from the hall and told him to just say yes!
starsouthern
1618
Posts
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Latest post on 27 May 2012 - 14:34
I've just been to RERA this morning. Landlord can only put rent up within rental calculator limits and must give you 90 days notice to do so. The renewal discretion clause means that if the landlord wants you out they have to give you 12 months notice either at the end/beginning of contract, they don't have to state a reason if they give you 12months notice. The 90 days is only applicable for you if you do not want to renew. If you want to renew let landlord know but it is assumed that you will stay as have not given notice to leave.
starsouthern
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Latest post on 26 May 2012 - 20:11
Also check with the Irish Embassy if it's allowed. My friend got denied a visa to Ireland, he had return tickets to here he has an excellent job with great salary and benifits which he wouldn't get in Ireland. He's lived here for years but was still denied! He was going to a wedding for a week.
starsouthern
1618
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Latest post on 26 May 2012 - 19:57
I aplogise for being obtuse but how do people who do personal training, teach swimming etc manage? Do they have to work for a company? A lot of them do work for companies. The rest who don't are doing so illegally and could face huge fines/imprisonment or deportation.
starsouthern
1618
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Latest post on 26 May 2012 - 19:15
Sorry you're not allowed to operate a business from home here.
starsouthern
1618
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Latest post on 25 May 2012 - 22:04
Your landlord has to give you 3 months notice to raise your rent if it's within the rental index calculator. S/he can not put your rent up if the rental calculator says no.
starsouthern
1618
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 25 May 2012 - 21:58
We might be able to help, have 3 kids and a cat though... star dot southern at y mail dot com if you want to contact me
starsouthern
1618
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 24 May 2012 - 05:54
apparently there's a few companies doing this. Obviously we had no idea this is what happened until people's cheques started bouncing. One of the partners of the company did go to jail. I have no idea why they were renting for less my only thought is that they needed the one cheque cash flow.
starsouthern
1618
Posts
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Latest post on 23 May 2012 - 23:58
it is an Events Managment Company, I rented the property to them in effect, they then subleased it, I didnt ask them to manage the property for me per se, on the tenancy contract they are deemed as tenants as they actually signed the contract as well, it was never signed by the tenant who it was then subleased to (there is a mention on the contract that they will be subleasing it to the guy who is now living there). Starsouthern I assume you signed your tenancy contract? we are also not asking for more money like your landlord unfortuantely was doing, we are only asking for the standard rent owed to us... My landlord rented the property out to the company for more than market value at the time in four cheques. The company rented it out to me in one cheque for significantly less than what they owed the landlord. The contract the landlord has is between them and company, which states that the company will be subleasing the property, but the contract I have signed is between me and landlord. Landlord didn't sign my contract the company did but because of the sublease clause they had with landlord RERA has said they were allowed to do so. The landlords' last cheque from the company has bounced. So landlord what's the money that they feel is owed to them. They want to raise my rent for next year to cover the bounced cheque loss or they want me to move out so they can rent it out for more. The landlord is adamant that my contract is not with them because they only signed the original contract with company but RERA have gold me that my contract is intact with the landlord and that I am in the clear. The contract I signed is a normal tenancy contract with no mention of it being a sublease. <em>edited by starsouthern on 24/05/2012</em>
starsouthern
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Latest post on 23 May 2012 - 20:40
I think a lot of people get put off DESS because it looks old. They do forget however that it's been there since 1967. It is by far not a flash Dubai School, you won't find plasma screens on the walls, just kids work. Although there are a lot of wealthy families the kids aren't flashy. The school teaches the kids to love and respect each other. The academic standard is very high and so is the sporting standard. The kids are encouraged to have a go at everything. My son started at DESS this September and after the first day of school he said " Guess what mummy? they play xyz game in the play ground, I didn't know how to play!" my heart sank at this point, but he continued and didn't look too upset... "so the other kids instead of saying you can't play, they showed me how to play!" At his old school if you didn't know how to do something the other kids would leave you out, and unfortunately talking to my friends there are a lot of schools like that in Dubai. We are one of those families who are very happy with the school. Moving to DESS was the best decision we have made for our son. <em>edited by starsouthern on 23/05/2012</em>
starsouthern
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Latest post on 23 May 2012 - 20:12
Tip Top charged me 150 to paint the small downstairs room in a 4E. I remember it was around 3000 to paint a 2M with them about a year ago now. Worth getting them in to give you a quote. They really do do a fantastic job.
starsouthern
1618
Posts
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Latest post on 23 May 2012 - 19:59
The heel prick here screens for Phenylketonuria (PKU) when I asked at Al Wasl in 2009 they said that is all it was screening for. If I wanted other tests then had to do it privately.
starsouthern
1618
Posts
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Latest post on 23 May 2012 - 18:45
Depends on what category they fall into can be from 5%-20% rental calculator is the best bet.
starsouthern
1618
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Latest post on 23 May 2012 - 12:51
If the company owner says he will pay if you return the cheques, can't you get him to wire you the money into your account and then when the money hits your account, can't you then courier the cheques to him? Will save on trips and hotels and police case.
starsouthern
1618
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Latest post on 23 May 2012 - 12:01
They made me take mynail polish off with all three babies and I didn't have a c-section.
starsouthern
1618
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Latest post on 23 May 2012 - 06:39
Personally I would stay away from the R schools. From your list probably Safa or Horizon are your best bet then Greenfield. It's stressful! Good luck!
starsouthern
1618
Posts
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Latest post on 23 May 2012 - 06:27
If you gave permission for this company to manage your property then unfortunately it's your bad luck. The tenant living in it has paid, not their fault that the company hasn't paid you. You have to make a police claim and then open a file against the company with RERA. My landlord gave permission to a company and the same thing has happened to them. I took all my documents to RERA as londlord wants more money or us out and RERA was very clear that 1. It wasn't my problem, 2. I have every right to stay as my contract is valid. 3. My contract has to be renewed directly with landlord for same price and conditions. My landlord isn't happy with the above but isn't allowed to kick us out. Also to give notice to a tenant you have to go through RERA and get a letter stamped by Dubai courts. You can't just email or send them a letter, and a lawyers letter doesn't count either.
starsouthern
1618
Posts
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Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 12:27
Yes copy of pp is standard but if you are going through a management company make sure you ask for all originals and details upfront.
starsouthern
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Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 12:19
The fact that the tenancy contract was in my name not husbands didn't matter when he did our visas either.
starsouthern
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Posts
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Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 12:17
Don't sign it if it is a sublease. If there are power of attorney documents and authorization letters stating that the landlord gives the company permission to manage the property, take cheques etc make sure you ask to see originals, don't accept the copies as could be forged. Ask for the owners contact details, and the power of attorney's contact details if there is one email and call them to find out if the rent you are paying is what they are asking for. If the rent is one cheque and a lot cheaper than surrounding properties it's probably a scam. We're just going through a nightmare now with a company that scammed our landlord and this is what I've learnt.
starsouthern
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Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 11:47
Depends on whether you have to show your tenancy contract to work to get your allowance. DH has to show it with his name on it to get the money. I don't have to as it is built into my salary, with DH it is an extra. A tiny allowance but better than nothing. Thats the same situation we are in. My husband has to show his contract to get the allowance back. Husband had to also show the tenanncy contract to get our Housemaid sponosred too We don't get an allowance so for us not an issue. It wasn't a problem with sponsoring a maid. We've also sponsored a maid when tenancy contract has been in company's name.
starsouthern
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Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 11:31
No, DH is my sponsor but tenancy and DEWA in my name it hasn't been a problem with liquor licenses etc.
starsouthern
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Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 00:22
anyone know the name of the nursery next door tp dess? prices? feedbck? I think it's called infants starter school or something like that, it's closing down this year.
starsouthern
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Latest post on 22 May 2012 - 00:20
Jebel Ali is a well established non profit school it has excellent academics, good extra curricular activities and excellent sports facilities. I wouldn't think twice about choosing JAPS.
starsouthern
1618
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Latest post on 21 May 2012 - 17:54
Could also be a fungal infection I would take her to the Dr just incase.
starsouthern
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Latest post on 21 May 2012 - 17:31
thanks so much everyone! i feel so much better ! Mrs Potato Head - first baby so no clue - does this mean all is ok and i dont need the injection :))) Haha no don't think so all 3 of my kids are RH negative and I was sick for the whole of my second pregnancy!
starsouthern
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Latest post on 21 May 2012 - 16:39
I have no steering issues with my city select, the only issue is that you have to put a bit of extra weight on it if the heavier child is sitting at the front of the pram when you go up on to a curb. If you go backwards no issue at all. I like the select as the seats are bigger and one baby isn't on top of the other. My 3.5 year old still uses it and loves it, she's in the 90th percentile for her height but still fits comfortably with the seat in all positions. The shopping basket is huge and as a single stroller it's fab too.
starsouthern
1618
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 21 May 2012 - 16:22
Netball, football, tennis, rugby, rounders. I think it depends on the school you go to aswell though.
 
 
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