أسئلة وأجوبة
What can I do with the contractor I paid to build my house and disappeared before completion?
Hey,
I'm building my house in Dubai, and it was going well.
I gave the contractor 420k as a first payment, and we both agreed that the rest would be in installments. Just two months ago, the contractor went off the grid, and I can't find him.
All I have is a security cheque that bounced back when I went to the bank, as the signature doesn't match what's in the file.
However, I learnt that he does have money, but not the amount that's in the cheque.
What should I do now to get my money back?
I need advice.
Thank you for reaching out regarding your situation with the contractor for your house in Dubai. I understand that this is a challenging time for you, and I’m here to assist you with your concerns under UAE law.
Document Everything: Gather all documentation related to your agreement with the contractor, including contracts, payment records, correspondence, and notes about your interactions. This documentation will be crucial in any legal proceedings.
Contact the Contractor: Attempt to make one final effort to contact the contractor through different mediums if you haven't done so already. Document this communication.
Legal Notice: A formal legal notice can be sent to the contractor, demanding the recovery of your funds. This can sometimes prompt a response from them.
Civil Suit: If the contractor fails to respond, you may consider filing a civil lawsuit for breach of contract and recovery of the funds. Make sure to consult with a legal expert more extensively on this step.
Please let me know if you need assistance in finding a suitable lawyer or if you have any other questions regarding this matter.
Hello,
Thank you for reaching out.
In your case, the contractor’s disappearance and the bounced security cheque raise both criminal and civil legal issues.
You may file a criminal complaint for the bounced cheque and also pursue a civil case to recover the amount paid, especially since the contractor is still solvent.
It’s important to act quickly to secure your rights and potentially freeze any assets if necessary.
We recommend booking a consultation with Future Vision for Advocacy and Legal Consultancy so we can review your documents and take immediate legal steps on your behalf.
We are happy at Future Vision Law Advocates and Legal Consultancy to assist you and provide the best legal services that meet your needs.
To contact us, you can call or WhatsApp us.
Dear questioner
Collect all contracts, agreements, payment receipts, communication records (emails, messages), and the bounced security cheque.
Take photos or videos of the construction site to document the current state of the unfinished work. We need to file a criminal complaint with the Dubai Police for fraud and breach of trust, as well as a civil lawsuit to recover your money.
Kindly share your WhatsApp number to discuss in detail.
Dear Questioner,
Thank you for your inquiry. Based on your situation, here are the steps to recover your money:
1. Legal Actions:
Bounced Cheque Claim:
File a police complaint for the bounced cheque. A dishonored cheque is a criminal offense in the UAE, and the contractor may face fines or jail time.
Breach of Contract Claim:
Pursue a civil claim for breach of contract to recover the AED 420,000 you paid upfront. We can assist in sending a legal notice and filing a court case if needed.
2. Next Steps:
- File a Police Report for the bounced cheque.
- Engage us as lawyers to pursue a civil claim.
- Report to Authorities like RERA or Dubai Municipality (if applicable).
- Investigate the Contractor’s Assets or whereabouts.
Let me know if you need assistance with any of these steps.
Kind regards,
Mohammed Salah
Legal Consultant
