Q: A broker told me that to reserve a villa unit, I have to give a 50k cheque and assured me that he will not send it to the bank to be encashed; it is just for reservation purposes. I told him clearly I don’t have funds and not to deposit my cheque until I confirm him to present it. I liked one unit and asked him to reserve it but to make sure not to deposit the cheque until I give him confirmation for the same. He didn’t wait for my confirmation and called me saying the cheque got deposited but I refused and told him strongly to take back the cheque from the bank. I managed somehow to hold the cheque from banking and the sales guy offered me to stop the cheque and make a payment of 20k which will hold back my cheque. He also said he will return back the cheque to me, and with this agreement, I paid 20k through a credit card. I got online payment receipts also. After this transaction, the sales guy went out of the UAE and came back after 10 days. But still, I did not get my cheque back nor the new reservation form. Every time I ask him about the cheque he says it's in process.

Q: Hi, My form F on a property purchase stipulates that "if the buyer is unable to obtain a finance loan within 10 days of the contract, deposit cheque must be returned." In this instance, the seller delayed initial valuation viewings (so now past 10 days) and now valuation has come in less than the asking price, effecting my ability to borrow the necessary amount. Are there any local/federal laws in the Emirate of Dubai that also provide any overriding defence? Thanks

Q: Hello, If I file a recovery case against a broker who sold me a service and failed to deliver (the DED has issued a settlement request), what measures can the court execute to recover the money? Thanks

Q: What is the interpretation of this clause in Form F of the sale agreement of property? "If applicable, if after applying for the loan the Buyer is unable to obtain such loan within a period not to exceed (14) days from the date of execution of the Contract, this Sales Contract shall be void, and the full amount of the Deposit Cheque shall be refunded to Buyer."

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, To whom it may concern, I handed over a reservation cheque to the real estate agent and mentioned in the cheque receipt not to cash the cheque or transfer it to the seller before my finance is agreed upon. The seller already has a new buyer and does not want to return the cheque. He wants to claim the reservation cheque with an amount of 100,000 AED. This behavior is against ethical standards in the real estate business. I am looking for advice on how to solve the problem in the best and simplest way possible. I appreciate a brief response. Thank you!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, In our real estate case, we've requested contract performance followed by compensation. 4-5 months later, an expert was appointed, and during a hearing, the defendant stated on record that he isn't willing to sell to us. We urgently need to buy a house, but the case is dragging. Is it too late to change our request from contract performance to compensation only, considering he isn't willing to sell anyway? Or can the court still force him to sell to us?

This Bylaw regulates the Real Estate Brokers Register in the Emirate of Dubai. No person may engage in real estate brokerage activities in Dubai unless he is licensed by the competent entities and entered in the register, which is maintained by Dubai Land Department.