Q: We are from the UK and our broker found a buyer for a property. The MOU was agreed and had an expected transfer date and expiry date. The MOU stated that the buyer will prepare for NOC and the take transfer of the property during the period we are in Dubai.We arrived in Dubai during the agreed dates. The buyer did not prepare the NOC in advance but only after we arrived leaving insufficient time for the NOC to be completed. The buyer did give us a small cash advance on the sale which we still hold. On the day of the transfer, the buyer claimed they had an emergency and were not available to complete the process. We had to return to the UK.However, the buyer and broker are now expecting us to return to Dubai to complete the process. However, due to health restrictions we can not do this easily.Are we as sellers obliged to return and complete the transfer? Has the MOU effectively expired? Are we entitled to the buyer's deposit? Can the MOU be terminated?Thank You.

Q: Hi, I had signed an MOU to buy an apartment. I had the following clause in the MOU: "This sale purchase contract is subject to the final approval from the Buyers Banks" My mortgage has been rejected by one bank. While I was processing my mortgage with another bank the MOU expired and the seller is not willing to extend the MOU. Can I claim my deposit check back from the agent? Thanks, Dinesh

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've signed a unit reservation form back in September 2016 for an off-plan project. At that time, it was 40% completed. I paid until mid of 2017 10% of the value of the property, as the 90% was set to be after the handover. Now, the handover started and I can't continue to pay any further amount. I didn't sign the Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA). What is the legal advice here? Thanks

Q: Hi I have a question. My landlord, from who I’m renting, asked me if I was interested in buying his house in April this year. I got into a conversation with him and few months later we agreed on a price. This price of the sale was including the remaining rent ( until November 2018 ), we agreed on not paying the rent until we signed the agreement as the rent was included. I gave him a security deposit ( not to cash ) cheque. Now, my situation totally changed and I nodded the money also. I recently had a health issue that was preventing me from buying the house. So the landlord called off the deal and said I defaulted on the deal. Anyway, he now cashed both the rent cheques and the security deposit and said he went to the police and I will go to jail within the next 24 hours. Please advise. I’m willing to pay the remaining rent but need time to get the funds ( at least a week ) and also I’m worried about the security deposit of the sale as he deposited this cheque as well, 3 bounced cheques!

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.

Q: My husband is an investor and I am a housewife in the UAE. My situation is that my husband had attempted to buy several properties in Dubai on my name. However, over the past months, he has been seriously ill and hospitalized multiple times. Eventually, the MOUs of these properties expired before we were able to take ownership transfer, and the sellers placed the 10% deposit cheques in their accounts. These cheques bounced because my husband was unable to arrange the 10% deposit amounts in time due to his illness. Now, these sellers are making a police complaint against my husband and are threatening to put him jail. They have been unwilling to show any mercy despite his medical records, and the doctor’s official recommendation that my husband should rest for a month. Please note that our MOU was a basic one, and had no clause that excuses ill health.

Q: I bought two flats off-plan which were handed over in 2018. As a part of the handover, in December 2018 I paid for two title deeds. To date, the developer has not delivered these, refuses to acknowledge my emails and does not answer the phone. What can I do?

Q: A property was bought in Dubai on an installment plan. Due to some problems, the purchaser has failed to pay the last 2 installments but intends to clear the payments. He has paid around 40% to 50% of the total amount, but now, the seller has sent him a notice that he is going to change the deed. Should the buyer step back considering that the seller is unreliable or should he move forward? What should be the step to address the notice they have sent?

Q: Hi, I bought an off-plan property from a developer in November 2022 and signed a sale and purchase agreement (SPA). The handover is scheduled for 2026, and I have paid 20% of the total amount. However, my financial situation has changed and I can no longer afford to make the payments. The developer has informed me that if I cancel the contract, I will forfeit my deposit and be liable for cancellation fees. I would like to know if there is any legal way to cancel the contract and get my money back from them.

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.