Q: I have made a 20% down-payment against an off-plan property in 2017. The sale & purchase agreement does not include a "Termination/Refund" clause and the property is due for handover by the end of the month. The property value has dropped by 40% and I'm able to only get a mortgage for 80% of the current value. However, due to the current situation and the impact of COVID-19 financially, I'm not in a position to proceed with the remaining instalments. I have to forfeit the contract as the developer has not given me any options for deferral of payment and has declined the request for a delayed handover. Please advise if and how I can get a refund on the 20% amount that has already been paid upfront.

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?

Q: I had purchased a unit in an off-plan project in Dubai in 2018. I had paid 25% of the total amount. This property has been registered in DLD also on my name by the developer. I have not paid any further instalment because of my weak financial condition. On top of this, because of coronavirus spreading, I have lost my job as well. This project has also been delayed by one and a half year. Now the developer's people are pressuring me to pay the balance otherwise they will inform the DLD and cancel the unit and forfeit my money. Can you suggest the way so that I can get refund of my money? I am really worried because I am a middle-class person and in deep financial crisis.

As the world is currently experiencing a major lockdown and suspension of almost all commercial and civil operations, the question arises in the novelty of Coronavirus outbreak on how serious it is to be dealt with as a Force Majeure.

An interview-format article covering the topic of force majeure in the UAE, in light of COVID-19. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

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.