Serena
Message from the Chief Community Management Officer
Dear Resident,
The first six months of the year have gone by, bringing us a season of changes, new faces and phases and a start to a transformative journey for Dubai Community Management.
As the new Chief Community Management Officer, I am committed to finding the winning formula towards becoming a household name in Dubai, where our residents and customers see us as family and friends, not only because of iconic developments, but because they cannot think of anyone better suited to look after their home and community. With customer-centricity at our core, we look forward to emerging as a differentiator and flagbearer in community management.
In the past few months, we have had moments of reflection and gratitude with community celebrations, Ramadan and Eid events and much more. We also experienced weeks with spells of heavy rain beckoning spring and thereafter, the summer seasons we have embarked on.
In this edition of your biannual newsletter, you'll find valuable insights on home maintenance, peti-quette pointers and tips to enhance your overall community living experience. Do take some time to read all our community stories to stay abreast of our news and developments.
I am eager as is my team and certain that 2024 will be a year of greater opportunities – bigger, better, and brighter and I look forward to working hand in hand with all of you in achieving our milestones for the year.
As we embark on this exciting new chapter together, we look forward to seize this opportunity to inspire and innovate together for the good of tomorrow.
Francis Giani
Your Community Updates
Come rain or shine, your community undergoes improvements and enrichments all through the year. Here is a slice of all that was planned and undertaken in the neighbourhood you call ‘home’.
Refreshed Space for Reflection
The stretch of carpet at the Serena community mosque has been upgraded, enhancing the beauty of the sacred space with beauty, comfort and functionality.
Fitted for the benefit of worshippers, the refreshed teal and ivory-hued carpets have a traditional pattern with stars and delicate floral motifs, brightening up the space and lending an enhanced acoustic to the overall sacred space. These durable and long-lasting carpets are made from high-quality material to cushion the knees and feet, promoting a more comfortable prayer experience for the community worshippers.
Your Community Events
Winter Festival and Movie Night Extravaganza
A magical experience unfolded at the winter community celebrations in Serena on 26 January, as residents came together at the lawn near Serena Market for an evening to remember. The highlight of the evening was the movie screening of ‘The Polar Express’ which was a hit with kids and adults alike. If you missed it, glimpse through the highlights here.
You can also catch all the past events in pictures at www.dubaicm.ae
Dogs’ Day Out
Serena residents and their furry friends came together on 23 February at the lawn near Serena Market, to ‘paws and play’ for an unforgettable day of tailwagging fun during the Dogs’ Day Out event – with plenty of photo ops, a bouncy castle for the kids, bean bags for all to lounge on, live entertainment and plenty of pet vendor stalls.
Community canine friends and their families made lasting memories amidst laughter and camaraderie. Here are some of the highlights.
Decorative L i g ht s Usher Ramadan
Parkways and common areas across the community were adorned with festive lights to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan. Illuminated areas included roundabouts and entrances and included popular Ramadan motifs, like the crescent moon, traditional lanterns, and geometric patterns used in Islamic art.
Hag Al Leila Celebrations
One of the most popular Emirati celebrations before Ramadan – Hag Al Leila was celebrated in true blue traditional style on 7 March. Residents were treated to a delightful event with traditional giveaways. The initiative echoes the values of sharing and giving that the Holy Month brings with it.
Reminiscing Ramadan Revelry
Neighbours at Serena also congregated for a community gathering in the heart of the community on 26 March at the lawn near Serena Market. Families connected over a variety of activities including storytelling sessions, games and tasted traditional treats. Girls and women decked their palms with henna art at dedicated stalls. It was truly a festive celebration aimed at fostering the bonds of unity through culture within the community. Here are some of the highlights.
Ramadan Sports Tournament 2024
During Ramadan, we hosted the Dubai Community Management Ramadan Sports Tournament bringing neighbours together in a friendly inter-community competition with basketball, football and tennis matches.
The event strengthened bonds and brought joy, fostering connections within our community and beyond. Once again, Ramadan was a special time for unity and community spirit.
Big shout-out to the 2024 winners and the sportsman spirit of all of our participants.
Congratulations to the Tennis championsSebastin & Moustafa from Villanova on winning the tournament, Asad & Zoel from Remraam claiming the title of first runner ups and Zimon & Thamizh from Remraam on becoming second runner ups.
The Mudon team went for the winning goal, earning the title of winners of the Football tournament with The Villa teams bagging both the second and third spots!
Dribbling their way to the win was the Remraam Basketball team, with Serena and The Villa teams coming in second and third.
Basketball winners - Remraam
Football winners - Mudon
Tennis champions - Sebastin and Moustafa
TLC for your Home
Know Your Pet-iquette
Your community is a pet-friendly neighbourhood with easy and simple community rules, aimed to help reduce neighbourly conflicts and ensure a healthier environment for you and your furry family member. Familiarise yourself with these points and share them with members of your household.
OFF LEASH AREAS
Dog parks are the designated areas for your canine friend’s walks, exercise and play. Community amenities including play areas, parks, lawns, sports courts and pools are not open to pets.
LEASH ON ALWAYS
Not every resident in your community may be comfortable around dogs. Ensure that your four-legged friend is within full control and on a leash when out and about in your community while being respectful of your neighbours.
COURTESY CHECK
Adults and especially children must always check with a pet owner/handler before approaching or petting someone else’s dog. Every dog has a different level of tolerance for physical affection.
RESPONSIBLE OWNERSHIP
Pet owners are responsible if their canine pet friend injures another animal, tenant, guest or member of the public or even damage property and communal areas. Never leave pets unattended in vehicles or balconies.
CHIP & TRACK
Have your pet microchipped and collared with the latest identification details so that they can be found easily if lost. Ensure that vaccinations, routine check-ups and registrations with a veterinarian are up to date, as per local regulations. Look up your lost pet on free apps like Aleef, WheresMyPawsAt or via GPS trackers using the registered details.
STOP & SCOOP
Owners/dog handlers must pick up pet waste immediately and carry multiple bags for cleaning up after their pets.
Stay covered with the right insurance
It’s never too late to invest in insurance that covers your prized home and possessions and gives you the peace of mind you deserve. Contents Insurance does just that in the event of the unexpected – be it a theft, fire or water leakage.
With a good plan, you can protect your home and your belongings including your furniture, electrical appliances, soft furnishings and even paint finishes on your walls and ceilings. Some contents insurance plans start as low as AED 200 a year, based on the coverage required.
What is covered under community insurance?
Community insurance only covers the common areas such as roads, amenities, signage, streetlights, walls, irrigation systems and gate barriers. Contents insurance is the sole responsibility of a resident.
Routine Mosquito Control
In line with Dubai Municipality guidelines, our pest control teams have been carrying out scheduled thermal fogging treatment across community common areas to mitigate the seasonal challenge of flies and mosquitoes.
Stay tuned to our notifications for updates on these planned treatments in different areas of your neighbourhood.
Here’s how you can help us reduce the spread of flies and mosquitoes.
▶ Reduce your water use in private gardens by using a drip irrigation system, instead of hoses.
▶ Trim your plants regularly to prevent overgrown climbers from entering fences/railings further into common areas. Heavy foliage can trap moisture, also attracting insects.
▶ Regularly clean and maintain your garden water features and swimming pools.
▶ Keep car washing to a minimum, as dirty water spilling over to drains and manholes draws insects.
Oh, the Overhanging Branches
Is your neighbour’s tree or their much-loved perennial blocking sunlight or making a mess on your property? This could be your tree too and here’s why you need to step in and trim it down.
A hazardous branch may not mean a hazardous tree. Appoint a professional gardening company to assess your rising plants for branch or limb removal, based on their size and location.
In some cases, strewn leaves can clog drains and branches brushing your roof and exteriors could pile on hefty home repair bills. Plus, in seasons of inclement weather, a fallen branch is the last thing that you need weighing down on you.
Important note for garden activities: Residents are urged to employ silencer-equipped leaf blowers to ensure compliance with the local guidelines on noise limits that allow daytime activities to be within 55 decibels (until 8PM) and night-time activities to be within 45 decibels (8PM to 7AM).
The Garage Damage from Washing Cars
Your weekend car washing ritual may be causing more environmental pollution, wastage and damage to your carport flooring than you had imagined.
A typical car wash uses water, soap and toxic cleaning products that seep into the ground and interlocks, while the chemical runoff passes through drains and contaminates soil, promotes algae growth and harms aquatic life in the nearby waterways or lakes. Additionally, excessive water affects the foundation of interlocked tiles, causing them to sink and settle while becoming safety hazards and amounting to costly repairs.
Make a Conscious Choice
▶ Try eco-friendly and biodegradable alternatives that are free of phosphates, fragrance, chlorine and petroleum-based ingredients instead.
▶ Have you heard of a waterless car wash? It uses minimal to no water and still provides effective cleaning results.
▶ Opt for an efficient choice and drive down to a commercial car wash. Several outlets recycle water and send wastewater to treatment systems before being discharged.
Prep Your Homebase for Summer
Balmy days ahead. Here is a quick checklist of fix-ups and declutter details to consider for your house and surroundings, as you splash into the summer of 2024.
Time for touch-up
Make the most of the dry weather by giving your home exteriors, garden fences or weary window frame a fresh lick of paint. Don’t forget to obtain your NOCs by writing to us at community@dubaicm.ae or reaching us at 800 DubaiCM, ahead of your works.
Service your air conditioner
Ensure your home cooling is working just fine by replacing the air filter (if required) and cleaning the area around the AC unit and vents. Get professional help to check for any leaks or defects in the unit or from windows and doors, especially if cooling takes time.
Get your garden ready
Sweep up dead leaves, remove weeds, prune bushes and plants, mow the lawn and keep your precious greens well-watered during early mornings or evenings. Test your irrigation lines to ensure they are in properly working condition and at optimum orientation. Look out for mold growth with the rise in temperature and humidity.
Clear out puddles
Inspect your home for a build-up of standing water and remove pools of water ponding from children’s toys or a bird bath to avoid mosquitoes.
Leak check
Examine your bath and kitchen sinks and tubs for slow leaks and replace worn grout and caulking to prevent water damage. Leave washing machine doors open after use, ensuring your bathroom is well-ventilated.
Better safe than sorry
Ensure that the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors installed at your house are current and up to date. Check expiration dates and replace batteries if necessary.
light-hued blinds and curtains to avoid direct sunlight in your house.
From the Regulator’s Desk
Mollak Gateway Services for Homeowners
Following Law No. (6) of 2019 regarding jointly owned properties in Dubai, the Dubai Land Department has introduced a service for all homeowners and Owners’ Committees to submit enquiries, requests, suggestions, complaints on the Dubai Rest App and the Land Department’s website – dubailand.gov.ae .
RERA has issued guidelines via the brand-new Mollak Gateway services for jointly owned properties, requiring owners, residents, and owners' committees to use the Mollak services portal for enquiries, complaints, and requests. This allows management companies like DCM to address these requests and allows Owners' Committees to evaluate the management company's performance.
Through the platform, RERA will take necessary action to resolve complaints and enable a record of requests and correspondence which can be reviewed later.
Courtesy: RERA
Dubai Community Management
Our primary objective is to manage and maintain the wellbeing of your community. As such, we provide a broad spectrum of comprehensive management services.
and enhance flourishing residential communities as well as thriving districts.
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