Q: Hi, I have put 5% deposit on a property in Dubai and I have also paid 2% DLD fees + OQOOD. I have more payments starting in 2 weeks but I can't afford to continue with the purchase. Am I entitled to any money back?

Q: I put a deposit down on two "off-plan" properties. I paid a deposit on both and received a reservation document signed and stamped by the developer. However, at the time of the deposit, I was under the age of 21 which is the minimum age to purchase property in Dubai. Lastly once the deposit was made I never received an SPA or NOC. Have now been sent a notice by Dubai Land Department on the request of the developers for Property Termination procedure. The request was canceled. I am now trying to figure out how to get my deposit back as I believe since I was underage and no formal contract was presented or signed, the agreement is void.

Q: A client has entered into a contract for purchasing a property in instalments. The company had refused to give him a contract to sign, refused to assign him a representative and in turn, he has defaulted on at least one instalment. He wants to exit the contract but the company would not refund his deposit. What are his rights?

Q: Hi I paid a deposit and 20% downpayment for each of 2 studio apartments in Dubai in 2008. I never received a contract for either studio and I contacted the RERA and the developer for years, but they never replied. I have just learned that the building has now been completed, but I still have no contract or contact. I don't wish to enter into a contract any longer, how do I get a refund?

Q: Refund from Escrow Account I have purchased a unit from Danube Properties. According to them, the project handover will be in 2024 or 2025. Due to some unexpected financial crisis, I can’t pay the instalments, due to which I have some penalty amount as well. My question is if I cancel the unit, will I get the refund of my monthly payments since the account to which I am transferring the amount is an escrow account, not the direct Danube account? Thanks

Q: Is it possible to void SPA for an off-plan apartment under Direction for General Regulation concerning Jointly Owned Properties 2010? According to Article 4 (1) of Direction for General Regulation concerning Jointly Owned Properties 2010, before a Consumer signs a contract to buy a unit in a project under construction from a Developer, the Developer must give to the Consumer a disclosure statement. According to Article 5 (1) of the said Direction, “If a Developer fails to give a statement under subclause (1) of article (4), then the contract in respect of which the statement should have been given is void and of no effect”. 1. Does this work in practice? 2. Assuming that the Developer failed to provide the Disclosure Statement as per Article 4 (1) of the Direction, how can the investor void the contract as per Article 5 (1) of the Direction? Thank you!

س: إلغاء اتفاقية حجز عقار وقعت وثيقة حجز شقة ودفعت الدفعة الأولى وتم خصمها في حساب ضمان الشركة، ووقعت شيكات مؤجلة بقيمة 30% من قيمة العقار. صارت لي ظروف غير متوقعة وأرغب في إنهاء الحجز واستعادة الشيكات، مع العلم بأني لم أوقع العقد النهائي. هل يجوز لي ذلك؟

Q: Hi, I had paid AED 20k as an expression of interest to a developer for a property on 18th June 2021. After the new phase was launched, the price and payment plan was out of my budget and hence did not go ahead with the booking. I filled up the refund form on 5th July and sent it to them. At the time of paying EoI, they promised that the deposit will be returned to my card in 2 days. I have been following up with the sales director since 5th July and he is not attending to my request and keeps saying he will check with the accounts department every time but never comes back with any update. The receipt clearly mentions that it is a refundable deposit and says "within 60 days". Please can you advise on my legal options and when can I start the legal procedure (when is considered as the end of 60 days)?

This Law applies to developers who sell units off-plan in real estate development projects in the Emirate of Dubai and who should receive payments from purchasers or financiers towards such real property units to the special escrow accounts.

This Law establishes interim property register in which sale contracts, off-plan sales, and other off-plan legal dispositions of real property are registered prior to inclusion in the property register maintained by Dubai Land Department.

The provisions of this Law supersede articles (2) and (11) of Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai.

This Resolution approves the Implementing Bylaw of Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai.