Palm Springs shakes investor confidence

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SHATTERED CONFIDENCE: Investors could now shy away from property in Dubai.

The 25-storey Palm Springs project had originally been planned for completion by late 2007.

Homebuyers were already believed to be angry over repeated delays, contractual issues and complaints of poor customer service by Damac.

"It's quite clear that this is just a business move by Damac," said Miller.

"They've realised that the land they sold us five years ago will now go for almost three times the price, and so they've decided to pay us back our money and resell it at a much higher rate.

"In other words, we just lent them our money for them to build a building for someone else. This is going to be very damaging for the Dubai property market and the strongest publicity is always by ‘word of mouth'; they should realise that.

Miller added that in September 2006, Damac was offering 10% interest on money invested in an attempt to get investors to pull out of the project.

"So this hasn't just happened. It's been thought out and has been planned. And if there is planning involved, then how can it be a ‘force majeure' under any circumstances?

Niall McLoughlin, senior vice president - corporate communications, Damac, said:

"We understand that this is a serious and unfortunate situation, but one which is completely outside Damac Properties' control.

Dubai-based lawyer, Edward Sunna, head of construction and engineering, Al Tamimi and Company, who has been approached by the investors group to represent them, agreed that a ‘force majeure' is mainly called for in the event of a natural disaster like an earthquake, hurricane or similar forces of nature.

"I'm not sure what Damac intends to do but calling for a ‘force majeure' in this situation is a little strange. I don't see them getting very far with this," he said.

Damac declined to make any further comment on the story.

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READERS' COMMENTS

Damac's sale of Terra Del Sol
Posted by Anwar Ali, Vancouver, Canada on Monday 7 April 2008 at 04:43 UAE time


Damac has been unfair to the clients who booked in this project. Their fault was mainly non-disclosure that they were only marketers rather than developers. Secondly their pricing was not uniform among various clients. As a result some who booked 3 years ago are at a loss against the ruling market prices.

Damac Properties - Palm Springs
Posted by Dr Alishah, Birmingham, England on Saturday 5 April 2008 at 19:25 UAE time

I genuinely believe that Peter Riddoch and Hussain Sajwani are honourable and honest people with highest integrity.

Damac employs over 6000 employees and I am sure that some of them, in senior positions, especially in their legal department, are very doggy, to say the least. The legal advice given to the Senior Leadership in canceling the Palm Springs Project is seriously flawed and Damac Properties will pay "big time" financially and with their reputation if matter proceeds to courts.

Nakheel has already discredited Damac's chairman, Hussain Sajwani statement and Force majeure clause by stating that:

1. plot purchased for Palm Springs has been delivered
2. It is in a premier location (better than before)
3. They communicated the revised master plan with Damac ten months ago
4. Damac Properties assured, Nakheel, in February, that Project will be completed
5. Modification to the master plan cannot be considered Force Majeure because modifications, revisions and alterations are already covered in clauses 13,1 and 13.2 of the 22 page contract and
6. Only an idiot will consider the enhancement of the Palm Jabel Ali as Force Majeure! (Act of God? NO Nakheel!!)

There is no shame in admitting a mistake, especially if it is made on a advice based on ignorance of Law of Tort.

Damac Leadership should correct this mistake by sacking their legal boffin and compensate its investors fairly and honourably, as a matter of urgency, before their so called $30 billion dollar portfolio disappears in the sands of Dubai or to its competitors and rivals in the real estate industry

Palm Springs
Posted by Alan, London, UK on Saturday 5 April 2008 at 16:27 UAE time

I've invested in this development, and this is an excellent summary of the situation.

I urge any potential customers to stay clear of Damac - you have been warned. Their adverts are gloss, with no substance. They have no honour, and are loosing any credibility they've built pretty fast.

I know a few people that used to work in the customer services department, and I can infom you that many of them are leaving in droves as they uncomfortable with the things they are being asked to say - surely that tells you something - even the workers are disgusted with the situation.

Their greed will be their downfall.

Damaging Confidence in Dubai Real Estate
Posted by Palm Springs Investor, UK on Saturday 5 April 2008 at 13:31 UAE time

I applaud ArabianBusiness.com for taking an interest and reporting on this story. If the situation is not resolved soon, the actions of DAMAC will have a very damaging effect on the real estate industry in Dubai.

After all, Sheikh Mohammed is on record as saying “Many leaders promise, we deliver.“ Is it too much to ask that business in Dubai also live up to this ideal?

I am hoping that RERA is taking a keen interest in matters and will swing into action to protect investors and the reputation of Dubai. If RERA decide just to sit back and watch events unfold then people will be questioning exactly what they stand for.

Ultimately, how the Dubai authorities decide to deal with the current DAMAC scandal will be a reflection on the values which Sheikh Mohammed wishes to uphold.

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