Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
6 available 6 • View allRefund 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
1720
The right decision upon handover delay by a developer

1
Q: Background:
1. SPA was signed in March 2014. Original delivery Date Jan 2017. SPA permits 1yr delay.
2. I have made 35% on account payment. 65% was due on handover.
3. I completed snagging Q3 2019 and de-snagging last week (Post Jan 29, 2020)
4. Received handover letter in Dec last week 2019 to settle 65% by Jan 29, 2020.
4. I have been requesting/discussing since early Jan 2020 to provide me a discount/compensation for a 2-year delay and settle the net payment. Discussions are still in progress with no end date in sight.
My Questions are:
A. How to proceed?
(i) Should I make 65% payment 1st and then seek delay compensation?
(ii) Make on account payment after netting off my expected discount amount?
(iii) Continue to wait for the developer to provide me the discount amount?
(iv) Explore cancellation of the contract and seek a refund of 35% along with interest?
Thanks!


Feb 7, 2020
285
Terminating an SPA due to delaying the handover of an off-plan property

3
Q: Hello,
I am wondering if someone can give me some insight on the following:
I purchased an off-plan property in 2017 with an anticipated completion date of Oct. 2018. As we stand today, it is not completed yet and showing 83% complete as per DLD.
I have paid 30% + 4% Oqood as per the payment plan so far.
At this point due to my financial constraints, I ideally would like to cancel and get my deposit back if that is an option.
Would appreciate it if any of you good people can give me some insight into my situation.
Thanks in advance!


Jun 9, 2021
265
How to claim back the property investment promised by the developer company

0
Q: I have invested some money in a project 1.5 years ago but the project did not start yet.
The person who is the CEO of the project promised me via email to pay my investment back by 15 Jun 2021 but has not fulfilled his written commitment.
What choices do I have now?
I have the signed MOU and advice for funds transfer to his designated account.


Jun 28, 2021
378
How can I terminate the purchase agreement of a studio for delay in the handover date
0
Q: Good Evening,
I have purchased a studio last March 2021, I have already paid 30% of 171,000 for the unit.
The handover was supposed to be in July 2021 but unfortunately, it will take more time at least January 2022. No deadline confirmed
I called DLD to check if my apartment is registered but they said they cannot find anything.
I have mailed the developer many times for 5 months but no replies for the registration update.
I would like to check, will it be possible to get my money back if I file a case?
Please your answers are very important cause I am worried.

Sep 14, 2021
283
How can I termination an SPA and claim refund from the developer for handover delay?


0
Q: Hi,
I purchased an off-plan apartment in Dubai in 2017 from one of the projects in Dubai.
I was told that the handover is going to be in Q2 of 2019, until now, the apartment has not been handed over. During the delay, the developer has never communicated pertaining to the delay.
I have already paid 50% of the total value plus the DLD fees. As per Dubai [----], the project progress stands at 67%. Now, I need guidance and advice from a legal point of view.
What are my chances to recover my money from the developer?
If I go through a lawyer, is it possible to recover all the money I have paid?
Is there anything I can do to recover my money?
Thank you



Feb 1, 2022
289
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
4832
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
3125
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
5126

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1304 1304 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?
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Mar 21, 2025
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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?
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I would appreciate your guidance on the next steps and any possible solutions.
Mar 20, 2025
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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
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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
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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
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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
426
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
358
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
477
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
376
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
285

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View allCan a debt agency access AECB reports without consent for a 15-year-old closed case? 0
Dear Respected Lawyers,
Subject: Request for Legal Advice Regarding Unlawful Practices by a Debt Collection Agency
I would greatly appreciate your advice and guidance regarding a troubling issue my colleague is facing with a collection agency.
The company has been contacting the employer, urging them to ask my colleague to get in touch with them regarding a supposed liability.
This claim is related to a 15-year-old closed dispute with a bank credit card, and the issue seems to stem from outdated and inaccurate information on the AECB report.
Our main concerns are as follows:
Unauthorized Access: The company is accessing her AECB report without her consent. She has never given permission for them to retrieve or view her personal financial information.
How is it possible for a third-party agency to openly access and track AECB reports, especially for a dispute that was resolved 15 years ago?
Apr 8, 2025
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I was evicted from my apartment to be sold but it was gifted and rented at a higher price. What can I do? 0
I was evicted from my apartment after living there for five years. My landlord informed me a year in advance that the lease would not be renewed because he intended to sell the property.
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Five months after I moved out, I discovered the property was rented out at a much higher price. Upon further investigation, I found that the ownership was transferred as a "Gift" rather than a sale.
This makes it seem like the eviction was only to raise the rent rather than a genuine need to sell.
Do I have a valid case for wrongful eviction against my landlord?
Also, under Dubai law, does transferring ownership as a "Gift" hold the same legal grounds as selling in justifying eviction?
Dec 18, 2024
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Can I file a case for cyberbullying or defamation after my ex-wife's abusive messages? 0
Hello,
My ex-wife has abused me in chat and called me the following: illiterate, beggar, and said that I don’t have [------].
She called me a bad parent and a bad son.
Can I file a cyberbullying, defamation, or abuse case against her? What are my options?
Jan 3, 2025
119
I invested money in a business but my partner is removing me out from partnership. Can I pursue legal action? 0
Hi
I'm an Irish citizen and a resident of the United Kingdom. I got investment fraud in Dubai. I invested money into a business with a Pakistani national guy in March 2024 via bank transfer into his business account.
Now he's giving back the money which I invested in business after 9 months. He's preparing a letter from a local lawyer to kick me out of the business. I do not have any other option than to take out at least my money.
But it's unfair to me that he used my money in business and took all the advantage.
Some people say to me that if you claim money or take legal action against him, it will take too much time and I need to travel to Dubai to appear in court because it is a civil matter. But I'm not a resident.
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Dec 24, 2024
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Seeking justice and compensation for wife's loss due to medical negligence during childbirth 0
Dear Lawyers,
My relative lost his wife during childbirth due to clear medical negligence, as stated in the report from the DHA medical committee.
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Please guide us on the steps to take for justice and compensation.
Dec 19, 2024
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