Q: I purchased an apartment in August 2007 which was due for handover on October 31, 2009. The purchase price was AED 1.42 million. The payment term was 50% in 7 instalments and 50% on project completion. I paid 50% as per the agreement, The developer informed me sometime in 2008 that the project was delayed due to force majeure as the substation in Business Bay was not complete. Now it is 2020 and the project is still not completed. The substation in Business Bay had been completed years ago. I would like to know if I am entitled to compensation for the delay or can I cancel the purchase in its entirety and get my money back along with interest? Please advise me on my options and what steps should I take forward.

Q: Hi, I am seeking advice on property purchase. In 2016, I purchased a studio with a completion date of Q2 2018, for 500k, with 70% paid at handover. So far, I have paid 140k+21k registration fees. It has been over 2 years since completion date with no signs of it completing till Q1 2021. Due to this delay, I would like to inquire my legal right if I were to file a case and request for a refund from the developer. The SPA states in case of force majeure, they can extend the completion by 1 year, after which they have an additional year under the seller's remedy period. However, I have not received an email stating a force majeure, therefore, I did not issue a written notice. Although, I have sent them numerous emails stating that I would like to cancel my unit and get a refund, however, I have been denied this request. They had said all such requests sent by email do not count. Can someone please guide me, whether I should file a case or not? Thank you!

Q: Hi, I am a foreign investor who invests in a business unit in Dubai. Unfortunately, the company fails the business and didn't return the money for two years, I contacted the boss for a long time and found that they lied to investors before they make decisions and there are emails and conversations in records. Can I report to the police station about this? And is this a criminal or a civil case? Thanks!

Q: Dears, I've purchased an off-plan property in Dubai in 2016 which was due for handover in Dec 2017 but still incomplete (approx. 80%). 70% has been paid from a purchase price of 1.35 million. By contract, I am entitled to 8% compensation from the amount already paid since the end of 2018 (sunset). Early this year, I signed an amendment with updated payment terms with new sunset at the end of 2020. As of January 1st, am I entitled to cancel the purchase in its entirety and recover all payments done? Thanks and regards,

Q: Dear all, In March of 2018, I entered into a contract to purchase a studio property from a developer. The handover was meant to be in April 2020. In August of 2019, they sent a notification that a fire had broken out at the site resulting in a Force Majeure. In October of 2019, they sent a letter stating that they were in the final stages of getting approval from DDA to resume building. Now we are in 2022 and still, nothing has happened. They have advised that they are waiting for a court order to restart the work. They stopped banking my installment cheques in September 2020 but by that point, I had already paid around 50%. I have tried everything to negotiate with them; I asked them to transfer me to another project knowing I will lose the DLD fees, refund me less their charges but nothing. I would be most grateful if someone could help me to understand my options as I need the money back somehow if possible even with some loss. Thanks!

Q: Hello, We bought an off-plan apartment in 2006 in Sports City Dubai. It was supposed to be finished 2 years later. We have paid all monies to date as requested but not the final one as we haven't been asked for it. We have had no notification from the company MED based in the Red Residence in Sports City. Can you please help? We would at this stage now like to have all our money paid into this project refunded to us. It is ridiculous to be still waiting all these years later. We are now in our 70s and obviously like to know what the outcome would be. Yours faithfully,

Q: Hi, I would like to raise my concern regarding my off-plan purchase of a 1-BR unit in Dubai. The handover should be last quarter of 2022 as per SPA, but the construction is still under 50%. Next month Sept. 2022, I will be paying my final downpayment to complete the 20%. Our original plan was to mortgage the property after paying the DP of 20%, however, it would be perhaps impossible to mortgage given the current status of the building. By Oct. 2022, I need to pay 40% (227k AED) and the remaining 40% on handover in Dec. 2022. My question is, do I have the right to terminate the contract based on the current status of the project? They called me to negotiate in their office in AUH to discuss with top management our options and the new handover date is the 3rd-4th quarter of next year (2023). My current situation is not so favorable (financially). My only option is to either mortgage the property or cancel the contract. Your advice is highly appreciated. Thank you! Regards,

Q: Dear Lawyers, I bought a property in Dubai, and the developer is 12 months late with the progress still 50% incomplete. Can I file a case and terminate the contract?

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.

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.

This Resolution approves the Implementing Bylaw of Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai.