Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
7 available 7 • View allFiling a case against the developer for cancellation of project


2
Q: I bought a property in a project and paid the full amount to the developer directly, not in the escrow account.
The property was not complete as promised and it was cancelled by the Land Dept last year.
We reached the Land Dept to make a complaint then we came to know it's not registered under my name.
Please help me to process it and get my money back. I made a complaint in Dubai Courts too but no update.



Mar 14, 2019
1607
Escrow cheque recovery when the contracts are not signed
0
Q: There was an MOU which was entered between the buyer (we) and seller on 17 February 2020. Due to less valuation by the bank, the contract was revised and the initial agreement was cancelled.
The new agreement was made on 11 March 2020 and it was again cancelled due to error by the agent in the agreement as he had written a wrong size of the apartment.
So the third contract was made but it was not signed due to the global pandemic situation and the selling price mentioned was higher than the agreed price and it was also signed by the seller.
There was no contract thereafter as all the initial contracts were cancelled and as we have given escrow cheque to the agent, they are asking for hefty fees to be paid and then they will release the escrow cheque.
So can you please advise in the given case?

Jun 28, 2020
545
Claiming refund from developer after cancellation of project



3
Q: This is regarding an under-cancellation real estate project in Dubai (started in 2017 & was supposed to be handed over in Dec 2019 but progress did not move beyond 10%).
I made my cheques payable to the company rather than to escrow account. AED 881K was already cashed out of 1,460K (+ 58,400K for Dubai Land Dept).
What are the options available for recovering my money?
Thanks




Jul 7, 2020
1625
How to cancel a property purchased by a foreign company as the law doesn't allow it?
0
Q: I have a foreign company registered in South Africa that has signed a SPA with a developer in Dubai.
However, the unit that we bought has not been registered with Dubai land affairs as apparently, foreign companies cannot own property in Dubai.
We have paid 51% of the money and the developer is refusing to cancel the Agreement as according to our understanding the contract is invalid as it has been signed with a foreign company.
And legally, the company can't own the property that the foreign company has signed the Sales & Purchase Agreement for.
Can you advise, please?

Mar 7, 2022
201
Is it safe to pay a down payment for an off-plan property before they open an escrow account?


1
Q: Hi,
I am looking to purchase an off-plan apartment in Dubai. The agent said that the developer wants a 10% reservation fee/down payment before the project is officially launched i.e. registered at the DLD.
I have checked RERA and the project is not registered although the developer is licensed and I have been provided with their trade license.
They say the project will be registered with the DLD shortly, but in the meantime they want me to pay the down payment directly to the developer using my credit card.
I am assured that this is a normal process for pre-launch sales to guarantee me the unit that I want.
Is this normal and safe?
Should I insist that I wait until they have an escrow account?



Aug 30, 2024
210
What are the rules for opening and withdrawing from an off-plan escrow account?




1
Q: Dear Lawyers,
Could someone share or let me know the rules and procedures for withdrawing money from an off-plan escrow account, the requirements for withdrawal, and the requirements for opening an off-plan escrow account?





Sep 24, 2024
277
An off-plan developer is requesting future cheques for payment installments. Is this normal?




1
Q: An off-plan developer is requesting future cheques for paying installments.
Is this normal?





+4
Mar 24, 2025
119
Laws & Regulations
4 available 4 • View allLaw No. (8) of 2007 Concerning Escrow Accounts for Real Estate Development in the Emirate of Dubai 7
This Law applies to developers who sell units off-plan in real estate development projects in the Emirate of Dubai and who should receive payments from purchasers or financiers towards such real property units to the special escrow accounts.
May 6, 2007
11340
Law 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
4821
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
3112
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
5120

Other answers by
305 305 answers •
View allالضمانات التي تحصل عليها شركة التمويل مقابل إعطاء قرض 0
حصلت على قرض شخصي وكريدت كارد من مؤسسة للتمويل بإجمالي ٥٠ ألف وتعثرت لفترة والآن يطالبونني بدفع مبلغ ٢٠٠ ألف درهم بالفوائد وكنت أعطيتهم شيك بقيمة ٤٢ ألف وقتها.
سؤالي:
هل يوجد سند لأمر داخل عقد القرض (الأبليكيشن) الخاص بالشركة التي وقعت معها في البداية؟
أم لا يملكون ضمانًا آخر يُمكِّنهم من مقاضاتي به سوى الشيك الذي أعطيته لهم فقط؟
مع جزيل الشكر!
May 19, 2021
483
تقديم دعوى ضد مقاول استلم دفعتين من المال وأوقف العمل 0
هناك مشكلة مع مقاول إذ اتفقنا على بناء ملحق داخل منزل خاص ووقعنا العقد واستلم أول دفعة.
اشتغل حسب العقد واستلم الدفعة الثانية وأوقف العمل ويرفض المواصلة. تبين لي بعدما حاولت أن أقدم شكوى ضده أنه يستخدم ختم وعقد لشركة منتهية في سنة 2013 ولا يوجد لديه أي ترخيص.
كيف أستطيع أن أشكوه وبنفس الوقت أواصل البناء؟
May 20, 2021
963
Can the wife file for maintenance in the UAE after judgement in home country? 0
My wife and I are non-Muslims. Divorce was settled in our home country court which decided that I am the custodian of the children and no alimony has to be paid to her.
Children are living with me here in the UAE. However, she still resides here in the UAE using a tourist visa. She is planning to file a Maintenance Case against me in the UAE Family Court.
Can she do that?
Am I obliged to pay her alimony?
Dec 7, 2020
1381
ماذا بعد الحصول على حكم في قضية عمالية؟ 0
فصلتني الشركة فصلاً تعسفيًا وقمت بمقاضاة الشركة والحمد لله حصلت على حكم بمستحقاتي المالية من رواتب متأخرة ومكافأة نهاية الخدمة.
تقدمت بطلب تنفيذ ولم تدفع الشركة لي أي مبالغ حتى الآن!
ما الخطوة الواجب فعلها في هذه الحالة؟
Oct 8, 2020
556
Cancellation of an off-plan property and seeking refund 0
Hello
I bought an off-plan apartment with a developer, paid half and the other half was supposed to be paid on receiving the apartment which was supposed to be received end of 2019.
But they postponed it till March 2020, and now the project is way behind and no improvement at all as I'm in phase 2 and they are still building phase one.
What can I do to get my money back?
Sep 26, 2020
672

Other answers by
213 213 answers •
View allWhen to claim an inheritance in Dubai while being abroad and which law is applied ? 0
Dear sir/madam,
I would like someone to be honest with me. I am in the UK. How long have I got to claim inheritance in Dubai?
I was reading in the Gulf News that the laws of the country of the deceased at the time of death can be applied regarding the will.
Is this true or false? I am really looking for these two questions to be answered first. Can anyone help me with this, please?
Mar 25, 2022
407
I seek to cancel a purchased property and get refund for delay in handover 0
Dear Advocate Sweta Singh,
I am from India and in Sep 2018, I purchased an apartment in a hotel. The hotel has not been completed and the delay is more than a year.
They have not paid any compensation as per the contract, nor do they talk about it. I have paid more than 80% in installments and paying it regularly.
Please help me, guide me on how to cancel the deal and get a full refund, or any other way which helps me recover my investment.
Regards
Mar 9, 2022
339
Is it possible to apply a will issued in South Africa in the UAE? 0
Dear questioner,
My father (Muslim) has passed away in South Africa. He leaves behind 4 children, his wife (our mother) and his own mother.
He had a will for South Africa in which, I (oldest son) am executor. The will does state that it encompasses all property and assets wherever they may be.
He has various properties and assets in the UAE. My questions are:
1. Does his will have power in the UAE or will it be divided by Sharia?
2. What documents are required to wind up his estate?
3. What is the wind-up process within the UAE?
Feb 22, 2022
459
How to access the bank account of my son who passed away recently? 0
My son tragically died in Dubai and his salary has been paid into a UAE HSBC bank account.
My daughter also lives in Dubai and has an HSBC account.
How can I access my Son's bank account, please?
I live in the UK.
Feb 17, 2022
363
How can we access the bank account of a deceased person? 0
My uncle died 2 weeks ago in one of the private hospitals here in Dubai.
We have already completed everything regarding the repatriation of his body with the help of his employer and his remains are already sent back to our home country last week.
He used to give me an access of his ATM card before and I tried to access it just few days ago and I found out that there is some amount of money left on his bank account.
I am aware that he has some pending bank loan requests before he died, so I am afraid that amount might be the reason of such big amount.
Being the only family member of my deceased uncle, what should I do in order to make sure that the amount is from his savings and not from his bank loans?
In case the amount is proved to be his own savings, is there any chance for me to get the authorization to claim that amount from the bank to be used by his family?
He has a wife with 3 kids back home.
Thanks a lot in advance.
Feb 10, 2022
272

Other answers by
17 17 answers •
View allHow to expedite the process of sending a judgment issued in the UAE to another country? 0
Hello,
There was a bounced cheque case against me in Dubai in 2009-10. I won the case upon appeal in January 2020. I have been fighting extradition to Dubai since 2018 for the same case.
Even though, the case was won in January. Until today (December 2020), the authorities in my country of residence (Ukraine) haven't officially received the judgment from the UAE.
1.What steps can be taken to expedite this process?
2. What steps does a judgment go through before it is communicated to the country in which the extradition case is pending?
3. What is the normal time frame for this process and for the removal of the Interpol red notice against the accused?
Thanks and regards,
Dec 4, 2020
301
The scope of the Will in the UAE 0
Hello Sir
Good day.
Does Abu Dhabi Will cover immovable properties as per the wishes of a non-Muslim testator?
Oct 22, 2020
310
The developer failed to rectify the numerous leakages in the apartment, what to do? 0
Good afternoon,
I have purchased a property in Al Barsha (top floor). In spite of repeated reminders, the developer failed to rectify the leakages (numerous) in my apartment.
I had also notified this during DLP (Defect liability period). Can I refer my dispute to Rental Disputes Committee in Dubai Courts, even though there is an arbitration clause in the Sale and Purchase Agreement?
Appreciate your guidance on this.
Kind regards,
Kalpesh
Oct 21, 2020
560
The penalty applied when resigning before the expiry date of a limited contract 0
Dear Sir,
I am working with Jafza company as a product development manager under a limited contract.
Today, I am giving my 30 day-notice period against my contract. My contract will end by July 2021. I heard that I need to pay 45 days' salary to the company because of contract breaching.
I would like to know:
1) If I am giving an advance 30-day notice period, then why should I pay 45 days' salary to the company?
2) Currently, am I not doing my job as per Jafza attested contract?
3) After a year, the company changed my job profile without any amendment in Jafza attested contract?
I look forward to your valuable feedback.
Best Regards,
S.D
Sep 27, 2020
1337
Filing a divorce case in Dubai and having daughter stay under father's visa 0
Good morning Mr. Ghosh,
I am 52 years old.
I am working in Dubai and am a sponsor for my wife (49 years old) who stays with me as a housewife. I have a daughter as well (19 years old) staying with us.
Can I file a divorce case here in Dubai due to marital disharmony and mistrust? What is the procedure?
After the divorce, can my daughter stay here under my visa?
Sep 27, 2020
308

Other answers by
226 226 answers •
View allDisputing tenant's refusal to accept old landlord's rent increase notice 0
Hi,
We recently bought a villa in Dubai. We are looking for an advocate for legal advice.
Even though the old owner gave the tenant a 90-day notice about the new rent, the tenant is not agreeing to the notice because it didn't come from us.
Since the renewal is in October and we bought the property in September, we don't have 90 days to notify the tenant of the new rent.
The tenant agreed to the new rent in an email with the old owner 90 days ago. Can we dispute this?
Sep 25, 2023
144
We had an accident. Can I claim the treatment costs paid to hospital from the insurance? 0
My family and I had an accident. The incident occurred the very next day of their arrival in the UAE on a residence entry permit and their visa//health insurance was still in process.
With gods grace, everyone was discharged from the hospital on the 3rd day after many tests and keeping us under observation. We were slapped with a hefty bill as my family was not holding any health insurance.
What are the chances that I could claim the medical expenses through the vehicle insurance, as it covers co-passengers as well?
May 29, 2023
225
My brother's wife got pregnant with another guy. What happens if he files a case against them? 0
My brother's wife got pregnant with another guy. He wants to file a case against them.
What will happen to them if ever?
May 4, 2023
291
What can I do if a company hired me then changed their mind? 0
I am working in a company and their management is the worst. They made an interview in India and called me.
After calling me here, they again made interviews and made me work for 1 month. And now, they're telling me I am not capable of work and they are mentally torturing me.
I have given them 1.5 lack in office in India and here they are not paying me any salary. I am going into depression as I am not getting any solutions.
The only solution coming to my mind is a suicide, I don’t have any other options left. I have taken money in interest and people are daily coming to my house for money.
Please guide me in a proper way on what I can do.
Apr 18, 2023
190
What happens to the company and its operations if one of the partners is deceased? 0
X Real Estate LLC is a newly formed LLC company in the mainland (DED) with 10 partners, 9 of them Indians and one Pakistani.
As per the new provisions, the company is owned 100 % by expatriate residents. The company’s business is buying and selling real estate in the UAE.
Query:
What happens to the company and other partners, when one partner dies with or without a will?
Can the remaining partners continue to operate the bank account or it will be frozen?
Are the operations of the company frozen? Can the remaining partners carry on the business as usual, buy, rent, and sell the properties?
Can the partners pay the share of the deceased partner to his legal heirs and distribute his share among the remaining partners?
Will this affect the other businesses of the remaining 9 partners in any way?
Feb 27, 2023
197
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