Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
4 available 4 • View allFailing to pay off-plan property instalments and terminating SPA
3
Q: I have booked a unit under construction with a developer 3 years ago. I paid 30% during construction and 70% was due since Jan this year.
When I booked the unit, my plan was to get financing from a bank to cover 70% payment because I was working with a semi-government company.
But I lost my job and my credit score went low due to defaulting on financing payments and I could not get financing from the bank.
I have contacted the developer asking them for refund or change of payment plan but they give me instalment plan for 5 years and increased the price which I cannot go for.
I am not in a stable situation with my current job and the company gave me 3 months unpaid leave because of Coronavirus situation.
The developer completed 100% construction and they sent me a building completion certificate in Jan this year and now they are calculating 3% late payment fee every month as per SPA.
Now I do not have any source of income. Can I get refund from developer so I can cover my expenses?

May 5, 2020
2151
Cancellation of an off-plan property contract due to delivery delay

2
Q: Seeking cancellation for the delaying property delivery, as developers are not being reasonable.
I purchased an off-plan property in Dubai which was due for handover in June 2018 but still incomplete as of May 2020 (approx. 58%).
80% has been paid from a purchase price of 1.97 million, plus 4% DLD fees.
After pleading with developers for assistance, I recently got offered 2 x 999,999 AED, properties from the Developer (not ready till first quarter 2021 apparently), plus DLD fees as they would be classed as new sales.
I wish to cancel the purchase. Do I get additional rights for a 2-year delay and being under 60% completion?
Can I use force majeure (I'm on 75% wage reduction till September due to COVID-19)?
Has a law come into play to have additional compensation whilst renting during the delay? (I was advised on June 2019 by the SLC that there were discussions at DLD but nothing official). Can you claim the 4% DLD fees back?
Thanks in advance


May 11, 2020
1503
Termination of property SPA after defaulting on instalments
2
Q: Hello,
I am a Canadian citizen, currently living in Canada, who was previously working in Dubai.
I own two properties that have both substantially depreciated from when I bought them, and unfortunately, the money I make here comes nowhere near the amount I need to pay back in Dubai per month.
I have debt collectors threatening my family and me, and I want to make it all go away. I am asking if there are any steps I can take to solve this issue, such as declaring bankruptcy.
Honestly, I cannot afford much and just want to live in peace. I am willing to give up both my properties, take in loss so far and just start fresh.
I apologize for not giving any names, and I have been on the blunt end of many scammers in the UAE and people threatening my family, so I would rather keep things anonymous for a while till I feel safe.

Jul 26, 2020
610
Can a property developer legally charge customers late payment fees?


1
Q: Hi,
Can a property developer legally charge their customer late payment fees on installments or include such charges in their sales and purchase agreements (SPAs)?



Nov 20, 2023
471
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
4819
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
5118

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Other answers by
337 337 answers •
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
72
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.
Prior to this, he attempted to impose a rent increase that was not compliant with RERA regulations, which I refused to accept. He then served me with an official Dubai Court eviction notice, citing the need to take back the property for sale.
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
87
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
104
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.
How can I follow the civil case there?
That's why my partner knows that I can not do anything and this case keeps running long time and in the end nothing happens. But I'm thinking that I will submit a complaint through my embassy and I also have a solicitor in the United Kingdom.
Dec 24, 2024
48
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.
He had to relocate to India due to the situation and is currently working there.
Please guide us on the steps to take for justice and compensation.
Dec 19, 2024
75
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