Questions & Answers
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.

Dear Sanjeev,
Thanks for keeping in touch with me.
Hope that you have made a criminal complaint already against the agency.
And since you have not entered into a tenancy contract, the matter cannot be moved before the rent authority as it entertains matters between the landlord and tenant.
Either you can prefer a criminal complaint against this agency for the cheating committed by them and that too without having proper license to do so, or else move straightaway the case in the concerned court for recovery of the amount along with compensation for the difficulties which you faced.
Please feel free to contact me at 0556635526 or WhatsApp me at 0508575526 if you need any further explanation or assistance.
Regards,
Anitha Rajeev