Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allProtecting rights while buying a property in Dubai
1
Q: I am a US citizen and would like to buy a property in Dubai, where do I start?

Nov 16, 2018
869
What you need to know while purchasing a new apartment

4
Q: Hi, I am planning to buy a ready apartment in a 2-year-old building.
How can I check for any dues on that apartment, would NOC suffice that the mortgage or any dues are cleared?
How can I check that the seller does not have court cases against him in relation to property?
How do the Service Charges get decided every year, as I understand that it is decided by Dubai Land Department who has defined the Service Index?
Should I hire a lawyer to look out all legal aspects and help me till I get the property transferred to me? If yes, then what is the average cost for this service?
Regards,
Gufran


Jun 5, 2018
1205
Precautions to be considered when buying a house in the UAE


1
Q: I want to buy a house in the UAE.
What are the aspects that I should consider? and what are the documents that I should cross-check and verify?



Mar 25, 2020
499
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allRegulation No. (3) of 2006 Determining Areas for Ownership by Non-UAE Nationals of Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai 4
This Regulation determines areas where non-UAE nationals may acquire freehold ownership rights over real property without time restriction, usufruct rights, or leasehold rights for up to ninety-nine in the Emirate of Dubai.
Jun 7, 2006
3842
Law No. (7) of 2006 Concerning Real Property Registration in the Emirate of Dubai 1
This Law sets the rules and procedures for registration of real property in Dubai. The right to own real property in Dubai is restricted to UAE and GCC nationals, to companies fully owned by these and to public joint stock companies. Freehold ownership by non-UAE nationals may be approved by the Ruler in certain areas.
Mar 13, 2006
3745
Executive Council Resolution No. (30) of 2013 Approving Fees of the Land Department 1
This Resolution sets the fees for registration of real property dispositions in the real property register, including those related to completed, under-construction, or offplan real property, as well as the fees for services provided by Dubai Land Department.
Sep 18, 2013
2665

Other answers by
108 108 answers •
View allCan you enter Dubai if you leave a GCC country with possible civil and criminal cases? 0
Hi Hayyan,
In 2014 I had been to Qatar on a "Work-Business" visa valid for 30 days. Before my visa expiration, I fled from Qatar back to India without informing the sponsor or office management.
After I returned to India, I received an email from HR stating that the Qatari sponsor has filed an absconding case, a civil case, and a criminal case against me with the Ministry of Interior in Qatar.
Now my question is, can I travel to Dubai on a work visa?
Will there be any issue entering Dubai assuming that the Qatari sponsor has filed the said cases against me?
Awaiting your response,
H.
Currently staying in India.
Mar 8, 2022
430
Help with drafting service provider agreement for marketplace tech startup 0
We are a tech startup creating the first auto/car service and repair marketplace.
As a marketplace, we only facilitate listing and booking the services while the service providers (the workshops) are the service providers and are responsible to deliver and carry the selected /booked job.
We need to draft a marketplace supplier/service provider agreement between us and the workshops outlining the responsibilities and liabilities of both sides.
I would like to work with a law firm that has previous experience in drafting such marketplace-related agreements.
Dec 7, 2021
387
Drafting an agreement between an auto service marketplace and service providers 0
Hi Mohammed,
We are a tech startup creating an auto service and repair marketplace. As a marketplace, we only facilitate listing and booking the services while the service providers (the workshops) are the service providers and are responsible to deliver and carry the selected/booked job.
We need to draft a marketplace supplier/service provider agreement between us and the workshops outlining the responsibilities and liabilities of both sides. I would like to work with a law firm that has previous experience in drafting such marketplace-related agreements.
Is this something you can work on and have previous experience in?
Dec 6, 2021
364
Legal assistance in preparing T&Cs and privacy policy for startups 0
Hi,
I am starting a website that connects freelancers to media professionals and individuals. It will be a marketplace sort of platform.
Where can I find a legal advisor to help with the terms and conditions and privacy policy for startups?
Thank you for your reply in advance.
N.
Sep 20, 2021
163
Legal requirements for starting a business by a minor 0
Legal requirements for starting a business by a minor in the UAE
I am currently 16 and I’m an Emirati national. I am willing to start my own e-commerce business.
Is it possible to get an e-commerce license even if I am a minor?
Jul 12, 2021
1253

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451 451 answers •
View allAre there any restrictions on a diplomat buying property in the UAE? 0
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
78
If someone has a case in the UAE, can they travel to another GCC country? 0
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
151
What can I do if my employer refuses to pay me and I have no contract? 0
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
133
I want to open an online shop. Do I need a license to open an Etsy shop? 0
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
140
How can we locate a person with an ongoing legal case? 0
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
154

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183 183 answers •
View allThe landlord refuses to wait for days beyond rental cheque due date. What to do? 0
Dear sir/madam,
My rental cheque is due tomorrow and unfortunately, I’m not able to honor it. I asked my landlord to wait a couple of days but he doesn’t want to wait and said that he is going to cash the cheque tomorrow.
Of course, the cheque will bounce, what would be the procedure then?
Do I have a certain amount of days before eviction to pay the rent?
Sep 25, 2022
491
What happens when the property is sold mid-lease? 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
Does the existing tenancy contract between the tenant and the previous owner remain in force even after the new landlord has purchased the property in the middle of an ongoing lease?
And when should a new tenancy contract be made?
Should it be made immediately after the property has been sold, or at the end of the ongoing tenancy contract signed between the previous owner of the property and the tenant?
Also, does a new contract have to be in place for the tenant to exchange the cheques, or does the existing tenancy contract with the previous owner remain valid for the purpose of exchanging the cheques?
Apr 5, 2023
776
Evicting an employee from school accommodation while a labor case is pending 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
I was wrongfully terminated by my school under Article 44 on March 20th, 2023. I have a case in the labor courts, and the first hearing is on April 4th, 2023.
However, my employer is asking me to vacate the school accommodation. I asked the Ministry of Labor and the courts, and they informed me that the school cannot evict me until the case is resolved.
Is this information correct?
I am currently unemployed and have nowhere else to go until I find another job.
Apr 3, 2023
136
If I have a travel ban in KSA, can I travel to the UAE on a work visa? 0
Hi,
May you and your family be blessed.
I'm extremely tense and need your kind feedback on the following issue.
If I have a travel ban in KSA, can I travel to the UAE on a work visa?
I have been visiting Dubai on a tourist visa without any problems.
The ban was imposed because I had to leave KSA suddenly and could not return after an exit-entry, and I was unable to pay back my car EMI and credit card payment totaling 30k SAR, which I intend to pay off gradually now.
When I left KSA, they only had my fingerprints at the time. I also understand that while coming for a visit to Dubai, only a retinal scan is done.
On the other hand, when obtaining a work visa, UAE takes and registers fingerprints as well. Could this lead to any issues for me?
I have finally obtained a better-paying job after a long time and can finally save up to pay off my debts. The case registered for which the travel ban is imposed is only for SAR 16000.
As of now, I cannot afford to hire a lawyer to check in UAE.
Thank you for your help!
Mar 29, 2023
1910
Tenant's rights: Can my landlord evict me, raise my rent, and ban my pet? 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
My landlord wants to evict me from the property where I reside. They have not provided a court order for eviction within the past 12 months.
Additionally, they are requesting a 40% increase in rent and are insisting on a 6-month fixed-term renewal, despite the RERA index indicating no such increase.
Furthermore, they have included an unreasonable clause that prohibits pets, even though I have lived on the property with a pet for over three years.
What options do I have if I do not agree to these demands?
Mar 16, 2023
456

Other answers by
71 71 answers •
View allThe tenant's right to refuse visits of potential buyers without prior consent 0
I am the owner and have legally notified my tenant regarding my intention to sell and have given her first right of refusal.
But she is not signing nor allowing me access to arrange visits for other interested clients.
What are my rights / legal steps to force a viewing
Feb 17, 2021
9719
The developer refuses to pay the money back after delivery delay due to force majeure 0
I am seeking legal advice to terminate the contract due to a delay in the project for a period of 16 months only.
The following is the details of the project as per SPA and some givens:
- 30% paid in installments (on time, no delay in payment).
- 70% to be Paid on Handing Over.
- Expected Handing over date: 1st April 2019.
- Longstop date of Handing over: 1st April 2020.
- Actual date of delivery announced by developer: 10th August 2020.
- Notification sent to the developer by myself to terminate the SPA and return the 30% paid amount.
- Developer responded that the notification is rejected as the delay is due to force majeure (Covid-19 Pandemic).
Question:
Do I have a winning case if I filed to court to return the paid amount?
Feb 17, 2021
632
Overstaying because a family member is tested positive for COVID 0
Our residence visa grace period expires soon. Because a family member is positive for Covid-19 and he is in-home quarantine, we are unable to fly within the grace time. What should we do?
Will we be fined?
Please guide!
Feb 17, 2021
789
Cancellation of a property purchase and refund for over-delay in handover 0
Hello
I am contacting you from London. I have purchased a property in Dubai in a project in 2005. We purchased two apartments and today we have not received anything yet.
This construction project is still going on and the developer has changed many times. Another company now runs the project, and whenever I contact them they say it's going to be ready in the next 3-months or 6-months.
It keeps postponing work are currently at standstill. I have contacted them then and the same they're waiting for more information from the Dubai authorities.
Every time there's a different story, and we get delayed. It's now been 16 to 17 years since we have invested in this and I would like to put a stop to this now, possibly get a refund and compensation.
Could you please help me by advising me what my situation can be?
Feb 1, 2021
836
Can a father claim the custody of daughter when the mother marries unfit person? 0
My wife and I got divorced 3 months ago, she has custody of our 6-month old daughter.
She wants to remarry but I disagree with the person she wants to remarry as he has a history of violence and abuse.
Can I have the custody agreement revoked?
Mar 26, 2022
729

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1298 1298 answers •
View allIs the compensation for notice period deducted on the basis of full salary or basic salary? 0
Hello,
I understand that if anyone wishes to resign without serving their full notice period, they are supposed to compensate the employer for the remaining time that they didn't serve the notice, also known as "notice Compensation".
Is this notice compensation deducted based on the full salary or on the basic salary?
Mar 21, 2025
72
What can I do if my employment visa got rejected multiple times by CID? 0
Hi Everyone,
I have been working in the UAE since 2019.
Since 31 December 2024, I have been in my home country because my visa was rejected a couple of times.
After waiting for 3 months, I found a new job in the UAE, but the employer told me again that the government did not approve my visa, and that was part of the CID approval.
I would like to know if I can find something to clear my issues, which would allow me again to start my work in the UAE.
Apr 17, 2025
6
What can you do if you lost your job and still have outstanding loan and credit card balance to pay? 0
Hi,
I have a friend who lost his job in the UAE, but he still has a loan and a credit card outstanding balance to pay.
He is asking for advice on what to do now.
Apr 17, 2025
2
I applied for immigration to Canada via an agency in Dubai without any progress. Can I claim refund? 0
I'm looking for advice- I had applied for immigration service to Canada via an agency in Dubai, however, it's been a few months and there is no positive reply from their end.
They keep giving evasive answers, such as my job role is not coming up, or the Government has put the applications on hold, or other things which are totally different from the picture painted before availing their service.
The contract mentions this about refund: "The company is eligible to provide a refund if any wrong information is provided during our advocacy while discussing the case with the consultant."
My Question is- are such immigration consultancies legal in the UAE?
Is it legal for them to provide such services?
And am I eligible for a refund if not for damage claims (for wasting my time with their inefficient services)?
Apr 17, 2025
2
Can I hold the delivery of goods to a buyer outside the UAE if he defaulted on payment? 0
I, as a UAE-based Seller, entered a sales agreement with a KSA-based Buyer. The Buyer defaulted on the LC payment, breaching the contract.
The goods are stuck at the port as they need original documents, which I am holding to recover the outstanding balance.
They later made a partial payment but now threaten to cash the PBG (UAE bank) I provided if don't release the document.
The contract mandates DIAC arbitration but lacks a governing law clause. I need advice on:
1. Which law applies to this dispute?
2. Where can I seek an injunction to prevent PBG encashment, given the Buyer’s bad faith and breach? Or should I send a letter to their bank with the brief above?
Kindly advise.
Mar 21, 2025
49
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