Q: Dear, I bought an off-plan property from a developer in 2007 for which I have an Initial Contract of Sale with the Dubai Land Department (Contract no: ------------). As per the Dubai Land Department (in writing) they mentioned that by now, the project is finished and I should have been issued the title deed which is already registered under my name. However, the developer claims (verbally, not in writing) that the project was cancelled. The developer now proposes (verbally, not in writing) to refund my money rather than hand over the apartment. I believe what happened is that after we signed the contract, the developer decided to change their plans and re-sell my apartment to another buyer for a higher price without my approval. I want the developer to honour the contract or compensate me in line with the current value of the apartment I bought. It is being sold currently at a 70% premium compared to when I bought it. The Land Department suggested to take up this issue with the Dubai Courts.

Q: I signed a Sales Purchase Agreement with a buyer on a cash-buy basis and deposit 10% of the cost of the property. We agreed to meet at RERA in 30 days of to effect the transfer of the title deed. 60 days have passed and the buyer has informed me that he does not have the full amount for the transfer of the title deed. What should I do with the 10% deposit?

Q: I am an Emirati national and I have a unit in a building owned by a developer in Abu Dhabi; I have purchased it approximately three years ago. On 2 Oct 2018, I got an email from the developer that I need to pay 4% of the original purchase price to the municipality to get the unit registered under my name (title deed). This 4% needs to be paid by November. I purchased the apartment at approximately 1.3 million, however, the original price of the apartment was 2.2 million and they are charging the 4% based on that. I have also paid a 2% transfer fee when I purchased the apartment. What I'm saying is they expect me to come up with AED 86000 in one month or I would start getting fined. I don't think I have to pay anything. I've been to the municipality and their attitude was that someone must pay whether it is the developer or the unit owner, regardless of the circumstances.

With the introduction of the new procedures for obtaining a power of attorney (POA) remotely in the UAE, after it was mandatory to appear in person in front of the notary public as a global rule to ensure the identity and intention of the person requesting a POA, we put between your hands this brief guide for how you get it done.

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.

By virtue of this Law, a public corporation named the “Real Estate Regulatory Agency” is established in the Emirate of Dubai. It is affiliated to Dubai Land Department. The objective of RERA is to regulate the real estate sector in the Emirate.