CITIZENS have been urged to protect their homes with an insurance cover from a company contracted by the Housing Ministry.
Presently, the ministry provides maintenance warranty for six months, which commences as soon as beneficiaries receive keys to their property.
However, the ministry has also called on people to annually insure their properties for as little as BD31 a year as it will provide a safer double-cover.
Ministry officials also urged citizens to immediately move into their homes to spot and rectify faults, if any, and benefit from the warranty.
Northern Municipal Council services committee chairman Faisal Shabeeb, however, said people found it difficult to relocate within the stipulated period as their requirements change following the expansion of families over the years.
“We want to spare no efforts to protect citizens, their rights and their dream homes – for which they had been waiting for decades,” he said yesterday.
He proposed insurance cover for properties in addition to government warranty which is broken down into - six months (maintenance warranty), one year (water pump warranty), 10 years (waterproofing), five years (water tanks and heaters) and 25 years (construction warranty).
“I received a complaint from a citizen who tried to operate the heater in his new home and the switch exploded. Two plumbers he brought in refused to touch it,” Mr Shabeeb said.
“Electrical issues and water connections could cause tragedies and we shouldn’t wait for it to take action.”
However, Housing Ministry’s housing properties department head Faheem Abdullah told councillors that five per cent of property value was already allocated towards defect liability.
“We ask people to move into their homes immediately after receiving the keys because within two months any faults in the construction or facilities will be exposed,” he told councilors.
“Several people don’t move in immediately and some of them begin repairs or even reconstruction which nullifies the warranty.”
Mr Abdullah highlighted a 24-hour hotline (80008001) for complaints, requests and inquiries.
He also added that contracts between the ministry and beneficiaries ensure protection of everyone’s rights.
“Insurance is provided as a mandatory requirement in the first year to ensure the property is protected in addition to construction warranty against fires, leaks, theft and other incidents,” said Housing Ministry legislative and inspection affairs department head Nawal Abdulllateef.
“We explain all the policies and systems to beneficiaries the day they receive their units and our inspector tours the home with them to ensure they are aware of everything.
“We have an agreement with the insurance company and beneficiaries can renew their insurance annually for as little as BD31 which covers around BD60,000.
“This is a great opportunity that people aren’t utilising and we can’t force people to insure their homes.”
She said more awareness campaigns will be held in collaboration between the Housing Ministry and the Northern Municipal Council to ensure citizens are aware of the importance of insurance, warranties and official communication channels.
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