Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
8 available 8 • View allIssue with rental cheques paid up front
2
Q: Sir,
I have released 7 post dated cheques for house renting on January 12. January 15 is the date of the 1st cheque which is valued 9k. But on January 15, my bank froze my account because my company terminated me. So I told them to not withdraw the cheque coz I got no money in it and I'm cancelling that property.
When I asked them I need to collect my cheque, they told me I cannot. Not unless I pay them 9000.
Do they have the right to do this? I am in a deep problem as they filed a case against me regarding this. So, I want to know.
Thank you.

May 21, 2017
4557
Early termination of a lease without a proper tenancy agreement
3
Q: Hi,
A security deposit of AED 3,500 was paid to the landlord when I moved in and rental payment for each month was monthly. I moved out for personal reasons 4.5 months later and all rental payments were made for my time there.
At the time of viewing the room, it is being claimed that the landlord stated the minimum term was 6 months, which was never put in writing or was it ever confirmed I would lose my deposit even when I gave my 30 days notice. There is no contract or correspondence to confirm any of this.
The landlord lives in the property and is refusing to return any of my deposit. She is ignoring me now by blocking my number. I even offered her just over AED1,000 as a pro rata settlement as a goodwill gesture, but that is when she blocked me after she read it. I refused her 50/50 offer.
If filing a complaint can cost AED 2.5k-3k where do I stand it seems like a pointless exercise, I don't think RERA will look at it? Do I go to the police? I'd prefer to avoid this option.
Thanks

Nov 9, 2017
3728
What to do if your cheque was wrongfully encashed
0
Q: Hi,
I hired a real estate agent from Dubbizle Abu Dhabi. We reached a consensus of AED6,500/- commission for his services. Once I liked the property, I gave AED5,000/- cheque as security. Later, after signing the tenancy contract I gave cash AED5,000/- to him. As AED1,500/- was pending, I didn't take the cheque back.
Later from the landlord, I got the information that he took an extra commission of AED5,000/- from the landlord as well by telling him that we are relatives and he is not charging any commission from me. So the landlord increased the rent by AED5,000/- and once the payment was made to the landlord (single payment by my employer); landlord had already given AED5,000/- to the agent.
Later the agent called me to ask for remaining AED1,500/-. At this time I said 'no' as he has already made a double commission. I forgot about the cheque. Today I received a message from my bank that the cheque has been encashed and AED5,000/- has been deducted from my account.
What are my options now?

Nov 13, 2017
1023
Legal notice for holding the rent amount paid through the broker
0
Q: Good day, Madam,
I had a deal with a real estate broker in Dubai for a flat located in Sharjah. Paid everything since 17-Apr-19 after almost 2 weeks still no contract presented to me.
I decided to go directly to the building management and found that the broker I contacted did not provide to them the cash and all cheques I have issued, though a receipt was given to me by the broker.
Then the building management summoned the broker asking the later to hand over the cash and the cheques, however, the cash is now lacking AED 1000.
The building management found out as well the commission charge against me by the broker was AED 2000 which is 40% more and an unnecessary additional charge of 300 for PRO services.
Can I make a complaint against the broker?
Many thanks

May 1, 2019
627
Refund of the broker's fee in case of no agreement with the landlord
8
Q: On 20th April, we paid 5% agency fee and 5% landlord deposit for a new property rental contract, ready to move in on the 1st May.
A week after the 20th April, we contacted the agent and landlord to request to urgently pull out of the agreement due to husband losing his job. We lost the 5% deposit to the landlord as he insisted on cashing our cheque.
However, are we entitled to ask for the 5% agency fee back as we didn't even move into the new property?
We have tried to contact the agent but he is not communicating with us.

May 6, 2020
1659
Non-refundable token amount: what to do when customer asks for refund?


1
Q: Hi,
I am a real estate agent. A customer paid me a token amount of 6300 AED to book a property in Dubai. I gave him a non-refundable receipt in return.
The case was transparent and clear. Two days later, his current landlord gave him a discount on renewal, and he asked me to cancel the booking.
His mother was also looking for the same property, so he asked me to convert the money and rent the same unit to his mother.
However, the landlord rejected his mother's documents, and he is now asking me for a refund.
I have a copy of his signed non-refundable receipt. What should I do?



Aug 28, 2023
418
How can I get a refund of the first rent payment if the unit does not match the description?

0
Q: I wanted to rent a unit and booked an appointment in Sharjah for Friday (08/09). As I arrived there, he showed me another unit which looked awful and told me only then the one I asked for was already rented.
I was so tired and confused, that I agreed to rent that unit if he could get me the Ejari by Monday which he confirmed. I signed an empty contract in the agent’s office on Friday evening in Dubai and he promised me to fill out the necessary fields.
Someone cashed in my first cheque of AED 7370 already on Saturday when I still haven't got a contract signed by the owner. On Sunday, I had to get to Sharjah again to meet the owner.
However, only his manager was there and the agent let me sign a second contract (different contract number) which had only the unit number on it.
The owner signed a 3 copies contract only on Monday (11/09) evening and the agent wanted me to drive there and sign it which I haven't done.
My question is can I get my money back and what should I do for it?
Thanks


Sep 13, 2023
106
How can I get my promised cash back from the real estate agent if he left the company?




1
Q: An agent from a company in the housing space promised me 3% cash back from the brokerage if I booked the house through him.
He has sent this understanding over email from his company email. He also paid 2% but before he paid the remaining 1% he left the company.
Now despite sending numerous emails, the company is not responding. I put a bad review on Google and their lawyer warned me for a complaint with Dubai police.
I removed my review as not sure of the laws. Tell me my next steps and whether the review can get me in trouble.
Also, can I go to the police with the email to get support?





Jun 10, 2024
160
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allWhat You Should Know While Renting a Property in the UAE 5
An interview-format article covering the topic of residential retail properties pertaining to the liability for property maintenance and the repercussions of defaulting on rent payments in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Feb 24, 2020
3921
Laws & Regulations
4 available 4 • View allFederal Law No. (24) of 2006 On Consumer Protection 8
The Law sets up the legal framework for the protection of consumer rights in the UAE. The Law establishes the Higher Committee for Consumer Protection and the Consumer Protection Department, and sets up the fines for breach of its provisions.
Aug 13, 2006
9921
Federal Law No. (3) of 1987 Promulgating the Penal Code 29
This Law promulgates the Federal Penal Code (Criminal Law) of the United Arab Emirates. Crimes and chastisement punishments shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other penal codes.
Dec 8, 1987
47894
Federal Law No. (15) of 2020 on Consumer Protection 0
The provisions of this Federal Law, known as the "New Consumer Protection Law", govern Consumer Protection regulations in the United Arab Emirates. The New Consumer Protection Law repeals the previous UAE Consumer Protection Law (Federal Law No. (24) of 2006 on Consumer Protection).
Nov 10, 2020
589
Cabinet Resolution No (12) of 2007 Concerning the Executive Regulations of Federal Law No (24) of 2006 on Consumer Protection 0
The provisions of this Cabinet Resolution No (12) of 2007 Concerning the Executive Regulations of Federal Law No (24) of 2006 on Consumer Protection.
Mar 29, 2007
207

Other answers by
453 453 answers •
View allTerminating an employee after sick leave and claiming compensation 0
Hello,
My employer fired me under Article 44 for not showing up for work for 7 days in a row. But that’s not the case at all. I was sick and the management was aware and they let me go.
I went to another country to get treatment because it’s expensive in Dubai. My employer did not pay me my salary for the month I worked and fired me.
I have official sick leave from another country and there is correspondence where my employer sent me to another country for treatment.
The problem is that the employer says that he will take compensation for the training that was specified in the contract, but I did not undergo training at all; I immediately started work from the first day of work and there was no training.
Does my employer have the right to charge me such a fee and not pay my salary?
Feb 29, 2024
450
How to make the seller hand over the tenant's security deposit to the buyer upon completing a sale? 0
Should the seller in Dubai hand over their tenant's security deposit to the buyer upon completing a sale?
Who is responsible for managing this process?
At the time of the exchange, the broker said he would follow up with the seller and collect the deposit.
He hasn’t, and the seller has not handed over the deposit.
Feb 8, 2024
416
How to deal with in-laws provoking and recording reactions? 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
My husband's family constantly provokes me and then records my every exaggerated reaction.
Now I'm worried that they might use those things against me.
Feb 8, 2024
236
How to cancel the MoU to buy an apartment with the broker if the bank did not approve the loan? 0
Hi,
I have a situation where I signed an MoU and gave my security deposit to the seller's agent. However later, the bank valuation of the property is lower than the selling price.
On my MoU, it has a clause that “the buyer has a right to cancel/negotiate if the bank valuation is not the same as MoU.” I tried to negotiate, however, we didn't agree on the price so I asked to cancel.
Now the agent is threatening me that they will not cancel the MoU and that will deposit my cheque. Later I also came to know that the person I am dealing with is not the same person whose name is mentioned as a broker in the MoU.
The agent I am dealing with is constantly messaging me with threats. I decided not to speak to him and instead, I wrote an email to the broker whose name is mentioned on the MoU but received no response.
I am on a very tight timeline as I need to vacate my apartment in 3 weeks, I found another unit but I don't know if I can pursue this while the initial MoU still not canceled.
Please, I need advice.
Feb 8, 2024
612
Employer asking for visa reimbursement after resignation: do I need to pay? 0
Hello Sir/Madam,
I have already finished my first year with my company and resigned.
My employer is asking me to reimburse the cost of my visa because I did not finish my two-year contract.
Do I need to pay? The cost is 7,000 AED.
Oct 20, 2023
796
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