UAE construction firm sued as house cracks after rain

Fujairah - The duo has stood trial on charges of commercial fraud.

Shocked after seeing his newly built house crack when heavy rain hit Fujairah, an Emirati man sued the local contractor and consultant engineer he tapped for the construction. The duo have stood trial at the emirate's criminal court on charges of commercial fraud.
"A lot of cracks have appeared in the reinforced concrete columns of the house following the heavy rains that have lashed the emirate recently," the complainant said.
As days went by, more cracks and defects reportedly appeared, he added. "Rainwater even leaked into my newly built house."
The man had to get repairs and maintenance done, even if no one was living in his home yet.
When he applied for a completion certificate, he was shocked when his house was deemed "unsafe".
"The department refused to issue the certificate, saying the house is unfit and unsafe for staying in because of the reported defects, mainly in the concrete work," the complainant said.
The two defendants denied the charges and told the court that "the entity concerned did take a sample of the same concrete during construction and did not object to it or raise any concern".
The trial was adjourned until next week.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

 

• Fujairah