I have checked with my developer and it is true what is written about the QR600 - 700 per sqm fees to get Qatar Cool to switch on your aircon. The developer says that as they are in "negotiations" with Qatar Cool they have not informed anyone of these huge fees. He says he hopes UDC will budge on price, but what can he do, he has no choice but to use them. UDC properties are paying less for aircon installation, but are paying more per year in maintenance charges.

I was also originally told by the developer's sales people I would have to pay no more than QR50,000 in fees, which I thought was very high, but it makes it look very attractive compared to what is on offer now.

What is occurring here is very bad for the project, very bad for the country and very bad for the owners on the Pearl. People do not have to invest here in Qatar, they can invest anywhere, but we all had high hopes for the project and the country. I still have high hopes for the country, but the project is starting to stink and appears rotten to the core. What is occurring here is damaging not only the UDC brand, but the entire project.

I remember Emaar in Dubai tried to raise their fees by nearly 300% overnight a few years ago and overwhelming bad publicity led them to reverse this decision to protect their brand, their future projects and the appeal of Emaar properties. I doubt the people at UDC have the intelligence or integrity to have the same kind of concerns for their brand. It just highlights the narrow short term focus they have for business. Do they not know the value of word of mouth promotion?

Two weeks ago I was looking forward to moving into my new unit and now I'm fast becoming a major hater of this project.