Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
4 available 4 • View allCivil claim against a contractor for delay in house renovation

6
Q: Hello,
My husband and I awarded one of Dubai's contractors to do renovation in our apartment. We paid him 50% in advance according to the contract signed between us.
We paid another 20% after some time in response to his request to have an additional amount to buy the materials.
The renovation was supposed to be completed in one month, yet, 2 months and a half already passed and the contractor has not even bought the material he promised (tiles, sanitary-ware... etc.).
He promises but not delivering, postponing payments in all possible ways. Suppliers of the materials confirmed that payments had not been made by the contractor.
We have a clause of damage liquidating (contractor needs to pay 1000 AED/day), but he doesn't seem to take it seriously.
What is the best way to deal with this problem?
If we take him to court, how much do we need to pay for the file opening?
What damages he will experience - license termination?
How quick can we have the money back?
BR, J.


Dec 30, 2020
1755
Refusing to submit work completion certificate to the contractor
1
Q: I am a fit-out contractor based in Dubai.
My client has refused to give the work completion and final bill certification even after the project completion and insisting on me to get the completion certificate from relevant authorities.
When we objected to going further without final bill certification they have applied the completion inspection to authorities without our knowledge.
Is that fair in a contractual agreement?
How can I claim my payment?

Sep 19, 2019
876
The breach of contract with a builder and legal action for delay in delivery



1
Q: Dear Lawyer,
We are 18 landowners 200 yards each entered into a development agreement with a builder on 2/2014.
Then conditions are that the builder in his share of 50:50 can construct flats and sell. With a GPA fraudulently obtained, 18 months time with a grace period of 6 months to complete and handover fully furnished the flats.
In case of delay, a rent of 6000 per month and 3 lakhs refundable deposit are to be paid to each landowner.
The builder neither handed over the flats (60% built) nor paying rent or deposit of 3 lakhs. Electricity meters are fixed on our name and we are all paying minimum charges.
The builder is not responding to our phone calls nor attending meetings whenever called for. The builder sold his share of flats.
Please advise me the best.
L.




Sep 14, 2021
558
The contractor does not deliver the renovation work as agreed. What to do?



6
Q: Dear sir/madam,
I hired a contractor to do my villa renovation in Meadows, Dubai in April 2022. The contractor's team is not technically sound, and everything has to be worked on a minimum of 2-3 times to make it right.
There are structural defects in the workmanship of his team; for instance, the concrete pillar they made to support the structure was titled. His entire on-site team is illiterate (meaning they can't read and write in English) including the project manager.
My husband and I have been doing project management to keep things going for the past 4 months. Based on our contract, he has got more work within the Meadows community, and he pays no attention to our work now.
Things have gone from bad to worse. The whole process has been delayed by more than 4 months. We are sick and tired of it.
By the way, the contract that both parties signed is loosely written.
Kindly advise what legal recourse we have in this case.
Many thanks!




Jan 3, 2023
1112
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allContracts 101: Official Agreements to WhatsApp Messages 2
An interview-format article covering the topic of contracts in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Mar 3, 2021
1133
Five Tips to Protect Your Rights in the United Arab Emirates 6
Comparing the lawyer to the doctor is an old and common comparison, but its reflection on the social reality has not yet been completed, because many people still do not seek lawyers' assistance unless they are forced to. Although those people rush to doctors as soon as they feel any fatigue or deterioration in their health condition, or before making any decision that may affect their bodies, it is noticed that they do not do the same when it comes to their “community” health or their rights.
Jul 25, 2021
1856
Laws & Regulations
2 available 2 • View allFederal Law No. (5) of 1985 On the Civil Transactions Law of the United Arab Emirates 96
The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.
Dec 15, 1985
148378
Federal Law No. (10) of 1992 On Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions 14
The provisions of this law On Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions (Law of Evidence) govern evidence in civil and commercial disputes in the UAE.
Jan 15, 1992
19098

Other answers by
157 157 answers •
View allكيف يمكن لشركة ذات مسؤولية محدودة أن تعلن إفلاسها؟ 0
كيف يمكن لشركة ذات مسؤولية محدودة أن تعلن إفلاسها؟
Feb 3, 2022
1724
Can the new owner of an apartment increase my rent if it is against RERA Index? 0
Hi
I'm a tenant of an apartment and a new owner has purchased the apartment. I would like to know:
1. Should I revise the Ejari by canceling the previous one and applying for a new one?
2. My current rent is 35% less than the current market value. Can the new owner change the rent as per the market value, or he still has to follow the RERA Index calculator for a new contract?
Nov 19, 2023
109
I agreed with my landlord to increase the rent 10% I pay in cash. Should I insist on changing the contract? 0
I'm staying in JLT in a house with a rent of AED 140,000 per year. The lease starts on 1st Sep '23 and expires on 31st Aug '24.
The landlord sent me a legal notice from the Dubai Courts in mid-Sep '23, giving me 1-year notice to vacate the house as he plans to sell the house. The notice was received by me through email from the court.
He claims the email notice sent by the court is not valid till I receive it by courier via Aramex for my physical signature. Can you please confirm if this is true?
The landlord is now ready to let me stay in this house for two more years. He has proposed that we maintain the existing lease agreement and Ejari. However, I should pay him AED 14,000 in cash (10% increment).
We will sign a separate paper document wherein we will agree that I will further rent increase of 10% (10% on (140,000+14,000)) on 1st Sep'24 when my current lease expires.
Should I insist on making a fresh written contract with the higher rent (140,000+14,000=154,000)?
Nov 18, 2023
135
Is it possible to terminate a labor contract before the end of the two-year term? 0
Hello.
I have been with my employer for 15 months, and my employment contract is for two years.
Is it possible to terminate the contract before the end of the two-year term?
Nov 24, 2023
125
I have signed Form F and got the mortgage but the seller is in breach. What to do? 0
Hi
I have signed the MOU Form F since July 2023 and we prepared all the papers and the loan from my end on 23/8/2023.
When I went to DLD for the transfer, the seller had registration issues and asked for some papers to be provided as the property is under the company not an individual.
Since that time, we have kept renewing the MOU every month in the hope of finalizing but I am not seeing any progress.
So I am asking about legal action as I already got a bank mortgage and started paying as well but not seeing any progress from the seller.
So I need to ask the following:
1. If my MOU expired on 20.11.2023, can I file a complaint on 20 or after a couple of days like 23?
2. What will happen in terms of 10%? Will it be returned and what about the fees paid to the bank like mortgage fees, evaluation, and cancellation of loan? Will the EMI payment be compensated by the seller?
3. What is your advice?
Thanks
Nov 16, 2023
889

Premium
Other answers by
183 183 answers •
View allThe landlord refuses to wait for days beyond rental cheque due date. What to do? 0
Dear sir/madam,
My rental cheque is due tomorrow and unfortunately, I’m not able to honor it. I asked my landlord to wait a couple of days but he doesn’t want to wait and said that he is going to cash the cheque tomorrow.
Of course, the cheque will bounce, what would be the procedure then?
Do I have a certain amount of days before eviction to pay the rent?
Sep 25, 2022
484
What happens when the property is sold mid-lease? 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
Does the existing tenancy contract between the tenant and the previous owner remain in force even after the new landlord has purchased the property in the middle of an ongoing lease?
And when should a new tenancy contract be made?
Should it be made immediately after the property has been sold, or at the end of the ongoing tenancy contract signed between the previous owner of the property and the tenant?
Also, does a new contract have to be in place for the tenant to exchange the cheques, or does the existing tenancy contract with the previous owner remain valid for the purpose of exchanging the cheques?
Apr 5, 2023
770
Evicting an employee from school accommodation while a labor case is pending 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
I was wrongfully terminated by my school under Article 44 on March 20th, 2023. I have a case in the labor courts, and the first hearing is on April 4th, 2023.
However, my employer is asking me to vacate the school accommodation. I asked the Ministry of Labor and the courts, and they informed me that the school cannot evict me until the case is resolved.
Is this information correct?
I am currently unemployed and have nowhere else to go until I find another job.
Apr 3, 2023
128
If I have a travel ban in KSA, can I travel to the UAE on a work visa? 0
Hi,
May you and your family be blessed.
I'm extremely tense and need your kind feedback on the following issue.
If I have a travel ban in KSA, can I travel to the UAE on a work visa?
I have been visiting Dubai on a tourist visa without any problems.
The ban was imposed because I had to leave KSA suddenly and could not return after an exit-entry, and I was unable to pay back my car EMI and credit card payment totaling 30k SAR, which I intend to pay off gradually now.
When I left KSA, they only had my fingerprints at the time. I also understand that while coming for a visit to Dubai, only a retinal scan is done.
On the other hand, when obtaining a work visa, UAE takes and registers fingerprints as well. Could this lead to any issues for me?
I have finally obtained a better-paying job after a long time and can finally save up to pay off my debts. The case registered for which the travel ban is imposed is only for SAR 16000.
As of now, I cannot afford to hire a lawyer to check in UAE.
Thank you for your help!
Mar 29, 2023
1895
Tenant's rights: Can my landlord evict me, raise my rent, and ban my pet? 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
My landlord wants to evict me from the property where I reside. They have not provided a court order for eviction within the past 12 months.
Additionally, they are requesting a 40% increase in rent and are insisting on a 6-month fixed-term renewal, despite the RERA index indicating no such increase.
Furthermore, they have included an unreasonable clause that prohibits pets, even though I have lived on the property with a pet for over three years.
What options do I have if I do not agree to these demands?
Mar 16, 2023
449
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