Claim for the return of money paid to a rental agency

Hi Ma'am,

An agency that doesn't have a license for doing leasing/ property rental business (I came to know this today) has taken my money for providing me 6 months accommodation in a hotel apartment.

They did not provide me with the accommodation and after a lot of efforts, I was able to get my partial money back.

But the agency is not refunding my remaining amount and they are not opening their office nor responding to my call (they have blocked my number and don't respond to any new number).

Can I file a case in the rental dispute centre and also claim compensation for all the trouble me and my family went through and the expenses incurred?

They took AED 2000 cash, a cheque of AED 12500 dated 2nd may (which they used) and another cheque of AED 12500.

After the police called them, they returned my 2nd unused cheque and AED 7000 in cash. I have AED 7500 refund pending.

Kindly suggest.

Thanks,

S.