DIFC 429/2020

Lajesh v Laasya

This case involved the non-payment of strata service charges for a property where post dated cheques had been provided and a counter-claim had been filed stating negligent maintenance by the management company had damaged the property. Evidence was not provided of the negligent maintenance and damage so the counter-claim was dismissed. The service charges were confirmed as a result of an approved strata management statement. However, claims for reserve payments and legal fees were rejected as there was no evidence. There was also no evidence of a verbal agreement to alter the amount payable.

Background

Lajesh was is a housing management company with offices located in Dubai.

Laasya was the owner of a unit situated in a building under the Claimant’s management.

The underlying dispute arose over alleged unpaid service charges for the Unit owned by the Defendant.

On 19 November 2020, the Claimant filed a claim in the DIFC Courts’ Small Claims Tribunal claiming unpaid service charges from January 2018 to 5 August 2020 of 45,208 AED.