Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
4 available 4 • View allRecovery of money from developer for delay in property handover
0
Q: I have a property that was supposed to be handed over about three years ago and still isn't. On the SPA, there is no anticipated completion date.
What can I do about this?

Feb 24, 2019
808
Seeking compensation or cancellation for delay in property delivery


15
Q: I've purchased an off-plan property in Dubai which was due for handover in Dec 2017 but still incomplete (approx. 80%).
70% has been paid from a purchase price of 1.8 million. Am I entitled to compensation for the delay or can I cancel the purchase in its entirety?
Thanks



Jan 23, 2019
14789
Refund of an off-plan property payments for delay in delivery 
1
Q: Salam,
Hope you are very well.
I am writing this email to understand the current law for off-plan properties in Dubai.
I started an agreement with a developer in Dubai in 2016 4th quarter. The developer promised to deliver the project by June 2019. Currently, the project is only 23% completed.
When I saw the project is being delayed, my payments were delayed too I paid around 40% of the unit price. Now I received an email/letter from the developer on the final Legal Notice, or they would cancel my unit.
Does the developer have such rights even though its a big delay from there end?
If they cancel my unit, what % of my total paid money will I be refunded from them?
I would appreciate your detailed and kind response in this matter, please.
Thanks

Apr 3, 2019
1725
الإجراء القانوني المتَّبع حال عدم إنجاز المشروع العقاري في موعد التسليم
4
س: اشتريت شقة في دبي بتاريخ 25/03/2019. موعد التسليم المتوقَّع: الربع الأول من عام 2020.
نسبة إنجاز المشروع 25٪ بتاريخ اليوم. هل توجد غرامة تأخير؟ وما الإجراء القانوني الواجب اتباعه في مثل هذه الحالة؟

Jun 14, 2020
210
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allLaw No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai 1
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.
Aug 14, 2008
4833
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
3126
Executive Council Resolution No. (6) of 2010 Approving the Implementing Bylaw of Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai 3
This Resolution approves the Implementing Bylaw of Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai.
Feb 14, 2010
5128

Other answers by
109 109 answers •
View allCancellation of SPA for delay in delivery and defaulting on payments 0
Hi
I bought an off-plan property from a developer in downtown during the peak time. My payment plan was based on construction with completion being Dec 2019. I have paid more than 50%.
I requested the developer to readjust my payment plan as the project is delayed. They moved on payment forward and sneakingly changed completion date to Aug 2021 in the document. The SPA still says Dec 2019.
Now I'm struggling to pay the next payment due to COVID-19 and project is completed 56% as par Dubai land department and 60% as per the developer. The developer is asking for payment and calling me every day.
My question is can I still use the delay in the project as a clause to cancel my unit?
Can I cancel my apartment and how much can the developer deduct?
After selling me, the developer started offering customers post-handover payment plans for 4 years, which is very unfair as even if I complete my payment, no one will buy from me as the developer is selling something with 4 years post-handover.
Can legal help be provided in this regard?
Jun 7, 2020
898
Easy way to know whether a job offer is real or scam 0
I am a health professional in Canada.
Years back, I posted my CV to work in the middle east on a job site in the gulf. Last week, I got 3 emails claiming from a general hospital in Abu Dhabi, a hospital Dubai and another medicare hospital in Dubai for online recruitment.
they showed interest in my CV. All emails were from free accounts (gmail.com address). I chose then to forward an email to the concerned HR department of the concerned hospitals.
I forwarded one email to the official email of one of the hospitals (as given on the hospital site). They replied and said, yes, the email is legitimate and you can apply with confidence.
Now I got an offer letter from Dubai hospital with handsome salary offer but from a Gmail address. They're asking me to start position in one month only and asking to contact a travel agency based in Dubai.
Is it a scam or true? I have forwarded the email to the HR department of the hospital to determine authenticity.
Jun 7, 2020
14649
Employee rights in case of changing an unlimited contract to a limited contract 0
Hi,
What is the law if an employer wants to change a contract from an unlimited to a limited contract?
Is the employer liable to pay the 3 months arbitrary dismissal (if valid) + other monies owed prior to changing the current unlimited contract to a limited contract?
Jun 7, 2020
4887
Terminating the SPA and claiming refund for changing specifications 0
Can a developer change the layout of the building as shown at the launch event and part of all brochures/online advertisements/model under the pretext that the same is not included in the SPA?
For the launch, we got convinced with the building design and layout but at delivery, it’s changed without prior intimation.
Can I make a legal case or can they take the guise that it’s not part of the SPA?
Can I get a refund for the 30% advance payment and refuse possession of the unit?
Jun 8, 2020
720
Inability to continue paying the installments of a property because of COVID-19 0
Hi sir,
I live in the UK. I am an investor and a broker for a property development company. One of my customers bought an off-plan property from it i.e just Cavalli Villa 2 years ago. 33% was completed and handover is due in 2021.
My client paid part of the deposit around AED 390000 (£80000) and she has been paying to the project for the last two years until early this year when COVID- 19 hit the UK. Since then, she has been ill and lost her job and, therefore, she is unable to pay.
My customer received a letter from the company saying that if the outstanding amount is not paid within 30 days, then they will take her to court. They say that they would cancel her plot and she will lose all MONEY paid so far.
My client needs payment delay until her situation improves but this request has been declined. The money secured under the ESCROW account. Can the developer have the power to take money from the escrow account?
What is her right under Dubai law? Can she do anything to avoid court order? The UK is in lockdown at the moment with no proper or normal banking functions.
Thank you!
Jun 9, 2020
1529

Premium
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1306 1306 answers •
View allCan I file for mutual divorce from Dubai as an Indian resident and my husband works in Saudi? 0
Needed to know if I am eligible to file for mutual divorce as an Indian expat living in Dubai and holding an Indian passport and also have Canadian PR.
My husband is a Canadian citizen working in Saudi on a work visa.
What are my rights?
Can I ask for alimony?
Can I file for divorce from Dubai?
I have no children from the marriage.
Mar 21, 2025
92
How can I cancel my visa and POA for financial matters if I have a travel ban for company bounced cheque? 0
I am seeking urgent guidance regarding my current visa status in the UAE. I was previously employed by a company that has now shut down, but my visa is still under that company.
During my tenure, I held Power of Attorney (POA) for all financial matters. However, after a cheque issued by the company bounced, the owner revoked my POA without my knowledge.
The company officially closed last year, and the owner (a lady) has been missing since the case emerged.
No one from the company is responding, and I am currently stuck in Dubai due to a travel ban imposed on me related to this case.
I need clarification on the following points:
How can I cancel my existing visa under this closed company?
Will I be able to obtain a new visa under another company despite the travel ban?
Are there any legal blocks or restrictions affecting my visa or employment options?
What legal steps can I take to resolve this situation?
I would appreciate your guidance on the next steps and any possible solutions.
Mar 20, 2025
83
How can I lift my ex-wife’s travel ban on my son and secure full custody? 0
Hello,
My ex-wife has already obtained a travel ban for my 7-year-old son, who has been living with me for more than two years without any support from her.
What should I do to get the travel ban lifted permanently? Should I file a custody case, and will it help?
How can I get full custody of my son, as his mother cannot properly take care of him?
Mar 20, 2025
65
I supplied goods to a client who fled the country without paying. Can the employer hold me liable for that? 0
I work in sales and did a transaction worth AED 156k. We supplied goods to a client, but he did not pay us and eloped with the goods and money.
Now the company is asking me to pay for the losses. Advise if this is legal.
Apr 18, 2025
18
What can I do if my tenant is not providing rent cheques nor responding to renew the tenancy contract? 0
Hi,
I am a landlord and need advice on the following scenario.
- The contract with my tenant expired in Sep 2024. Upon requesting the renewal, the tenant mentioned that she is out of the country and will sign the renewal contract and provide the rent checks. In the meantime, she paid the first quarter of rent through a bank transfer.
- After 3 months, when the next quarter's payment was due, she deposited the next quarter's rent into my bank but did not sign the contract renewal despite my follow-up with her multiple times. At this time, she had returned to Dubai.
- Now the next quarter payment is due, however, the tenant is not responding to WhatsApp or answering calls. She is NOT paying rent or renewing the contract.
What action can I take since she is not answering my calls or messages?
She does not have a valid contract or Ejari, and her rent is delayed by 1 month. All WhatsApp messages are delivered, but she chooses not to respond.
Apr 18, 2025
21
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