Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
8 available 8 • View allClaiming a refundable deposit from real estate company
1
Q: Hi
I was looking at a property in Dubai and decided to go ahead with it.
They asked for a refundable deposit of AED 14k which they charged on my card and then after checking the place out, I decided not to go ahead with the purchase.
Within 3 days of the 7 day period within which I could cancel and get a refund. I had sent a formal refund application and they replied back saying its acknowledged and they would process it.
They said banks are closed for the national day and hence would do it a few days later in the first week of December 2018.
We are now midway in January 2019 and they still have not paid me back.
Can you please help me out here?
Thanks

Jan 15, 2019
910
How can the property buyer respond to a case by the seller due to the agent breach?
1
Q: Hi,
I have a concern. We have signed a contract with a seller, but it's not an F contract. We signed an MOU, which is an A contract, and the seller has signed the same, which is a B (this comes from the real estate agency).
The seller has specified the date of transfer and confirmed his availability to the agent, but the agent didn't inform us as a buyer.
The seller raised a complaint in RERA mentioning that the buyer didn't show up to sign the NOC, knowing we, as a buyer, had sent many emails to the agent as follow-ups.
However, it was ending up with the same answer from the agent that the seller was not answering his calls and he did not confirm the date to sign the NOC.
We went to RERA, and they asked us to solve the issue between us. Now we are waiting for the seller to see if he would like to proceed with the sale.
My question is, as a buyer, how to protect ourselves as we have given a deposit cheque to the agent and paid for the conveyance fees and valuation?
What is the next step from our side?

Apr 27, 2022
727
I booked an apartment and did not get any contract. How to get money paid to real estate agent?



4
Q: I paid an AED 8190 booking fee in February, but the agent then failed to provide the apartment or even a contract which was to be signed on the 15th of March.
As per our agreement, I requested a refund. We had a back-and-forth, and then they gave me a cheque for the amount to be cashed on the 28th of March.
On the 27th, they messaged me to say not to cash the cheque. I feel I am being scammed. What do I do?




Mar 28, 2023
390
Can estate agents in Dubai charge a non-refundable commission fee upfront?
2
Q: Hello,
Can I have legal clarification on whether estate agents in Dubai are allowed to charge a non-refundable commission fee upfront before the sale of a property?
Thanks in advance!

May 7, 2023
233
Can we get out of a real estate contract if the agent lied about the property?


1
Q: Hello,
We signed a Form F to purchase an apartment, but later, we discovered that the real estate agent lied about the apartment's amenities.
We were not allowed to view the apartment before signing because we were told it was rented out on a short-term basis, which we have proof was a lie.
The apartment has many issues that were not disclosed to us.
What are our chances of getting the contract canceled without penalty?



Jun 13, 2023
307
Scammed by a real estate agent: Flat occupied. How to file a complaint?



3
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I was cheated by a real estate agent in Abu Dhabi. I paid him 12,500 AED in advance to book a 1BKH. After the payment, the agent asked me to come back after 2 days for the Tawtheeq process, but he kept postponing.
As a result, I went to the flat, and to my surprise, someone was already living there. After that, when I tried to contact the agent, he did not respond.
Can you please advise me on whom to contact and what the procedure is for filing a complaint?




Dec 27, 2023
777
The owner rented the villa to someone else after I paid the deposit. What to do?



1
Q: Dear Community,
I recently viewed a townhouse with a real estate agent and after agreeing to rent the villa I paid a deposit to the real estate agent.
Today, I was told the owner is renting it to someone else.
What can I do? Can I enforce the rent of this villa I chose?
Thank you very much in advance!




Jan 2, 2024
143
Where to complain against a real estate agent for service delays?



2
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
Where can I raise a complaint against a real estate agent who was very slow in providing services, causing delays in the handover of my apartment and Tawtheeq process?
Now, I am facing issues as utility bills have not been paid, and I cannot get connection despite my real estate agent assuring me that all bills were already settled.




Feb 25, 2024
521
Laws & Regulations
2 available 2 • View allBylaw No. (85) of 2006 Regulating the Real Estate Brokers Register in the Emirate of Dubai 4
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.
May 30, 2006
4943
Law No. (9) of 2009 Amending Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai 2
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.
Apr 12, 2009
3145

Premium
Other answers by
I have a case running in court and I am afraid the debtor will flee the UAE. Will a travel ban be automatically placed? 0
I filed a money claim above AED 10,000 (but will probably be above AED 50,000 if capital + dividends are combined) against someone in Abu Dhabi.
The mediation time has elapsed, 2 court sessions have been done, and the defendant still hasn’t shown up or appeared in either of those. In the last/latest court session, the judge said that the defendant is still inside the UAE.
About the travel ban, is it automatically applied to him because of the case, or do I have to ask/request it to be applied to him through the Abu Dhabi court?
May 2, 2025
20
Can the landlord send me an eviction notice for non-payment despite submitting an offer and deposit at RDC? 0
I’ve lived in my building for over 4 years, with the most recent rent being AED 50,000. Each year, the management collects cheques and extra AED 2,400–2,500 cash (no receipt) for management and Ejari fees.
My contract was due for renewal on 15 Feb 2025, but management delayed, demanding a 10% rent increase even though no formal 90-day notice and the RERA index did not allow it.
After a month of excuses, the manager called on 12 March, insisted increase to 55K, and threatened eviction if I refused. When I referenced RDC, he hung up. The next day, he again made unprofessional remarks, so I decided to go with RDC.
I submitted my offer and deposit on 13th March, but the management didn’t respond. The case went to the judge on 14 April he ruled in my favor.
On 30 April, I applied for the execution of the ruling, and RDC says I can renew Ejari only on 8th May at DLD with cheques given to them.
However, on 1st May 2025, I received a notarized eviction notice for non-payment of rent and communication.
My question is, what will happen at DLD now?
May 2, 2025
16
كيف يمكنني الاستعلام عن قضية إبعاد أمني ومحاولة العودة إلى الإمارات؟ 0
السلام عليكم،
أود الاستفسار بشأن قضية إبعاد زوج خالتي من دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة. زوج خالتي كان مقيماً في الإمارات وكان قد وُلد وترعرع هناك.
في عام 2013 تم إبعاده من الإمارات، وكان ذلك نتيجة لسياسات حكومية كانت تستهدف مجموعة من المقيمين في تلك الفترة، وهو لم يكن قد ارتكب أي مخالفة في ذلك الوقت وكان يُعتبر ضحية للسياسات المتبعة.
أرغب في معرفة الإجراءات التي يجب أن أتبعها حالياً من أجل رفع هذا الإبعاد وتمكينه من العودة إلى الإمارات.
أرجو أن توضح لي كيف يمكنني مساعدته في هذا الموضوع.
شكراً جزيلاً.
May 1, 2025
16
My previous organization has not yet released EOSB because I contacted a client. Is this legal? 0
I recently joined a new organization in the Hamriyah Free Zone, and my previous organization has not released my end-of-service benefits.
The HR has instructed the finance team not to do so because I had contacted one of their clients.
In my DMCC contract, there is no Non-Compete clause, but the offer letter has one, and now they are not releasing the end-of-service.
Is this legal? What are my rights?
Apr 30, 2025
19
Can I renew my trade license and visa if I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me? 0
Hello,
I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year.
My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID.
Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases?
The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority.
I look forward to your response.
Thanks.
May 1, 2025
49

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Other answers by
Are there any restrictions on a diplomat buying property in the UAE? 2
Hello,
Is there any restriction on a diplomat buying property in the UAE, where he works as a diplomat at his country's consulate?
Feb 20, 2025
102
If someone has a case in the UAE, can they travel to another GCC country? 2
Hi.
One of my friends joined a Telegram group. They said, "We will transfer some amount to your account, and your task is to transfer this amount to another account. Once the task is completed, you will get 30 or 50 AED per task."
He completed 3 to 4 tasks, but he realized it was not good, so he stopped. After one week, when he opened his account, it was blocked, and the bank said, "We are conducting an investigation; after this, we will let you know."
After some days, he had an accident and went to his home country. He then received a call from a landline number, which was from the Abu Dhabi police station.
They said, "We have received a complaint against you; come to our investigation department." However, due to his surgery and treatment, he could not go.
After some time, his bank account was reopened, and he did not receive any further calls. I want to know, if he comes back to the UAE or goes to any other GCC country, will he face any problems?
If someone has a case in the UAE, can they travel to another GCC country?
Please advise!
Feb 17, 2025
187
What can I do if my employer refuses to pay me and I have no contract? 5
Hello,
What legal action can I take in case the employer refuses to pay my salary and I don't have a contract with them?
Feb 18, 2025
175
I want to open an online shop. Do I need a license to open an Etsy shop? 1
I currently live in Sharjah and have a UAE residence visa but I am not a UAE or GCC national. I want to open an online shop (Etsy or Shopify) to sell handmade items, such as crocheted goods, bookmarks, greeting cards, etc.
Do I need a license to open an Etsy shop?
If so, which license do I need to sell my products online, including UAE and worldwide?
How much would it cost me?
Can I keep my residence visa (sponsored by my father) and not change it?
Feb 14, 2025
179
How can we locate a person with an ongoing legal case? 1
Hello,
I am seeking your legal advice regarding a friend who was previously imprisoned in Abu Dhabi. His case there is now closed, but he has another ongoing case in Dubai.
Currently, we have lost contact with him and are unsure of his whereabouts. How can we check where he is or access any other legal facility?
Are there legal procedures to locate a person with an ongoing case?
What steps should we take to get more information about his status and legal position?
Feb 11, 2025
196

Other answers by
صدور حكم لصالح البنك بدون علم المدين 1
السلام عليكم،
أنا إماراتي الجنسية. مشكلتي أن البنك رفع دعوى في المحكمة لعدم قدرتي على سداد قرض بسبب الفصل من العمل في سنه 2014، ولم أستطع التواصل لأنني كنت في السجن لأمر آخر.
عند خروجي في عام 2020، علمت أن القضية حُكِم فيها بإلزامي بدفع مبلغ 600 ألف + 10 آلاف تعويض للبنك وتوقيع حظر على جواز سفري، ولم أتمكن من تجديد الجواز لأن البنك قام بالتعميم وعمل بلوك على جوازي. ما الحل؟
أنا لا أعمل حاليًا ولم أستطيع الحصول على عمل بسبب انتهاء الجواز. كيف أقدم طلب لتجديد الجواز والعفو لسد المديونية؟
Jan 7, 2022
338
Precautions for giving a security cheque against provided services 8
We are asked to give an undated security cheque in lieu of the payment done for provided services, how to write this cheque?
Can we mention "Security Cheque" on the face of the cheque?
Mar 15, 2020
10039
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