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.

Q: Would like to file a case in Dubai against a real estate company. They were supposed to build my villa in Marrakech, Morocco. Nothing was done after 5 years. I have paid $ 200000 so far and want my money back. Please advise. Thanks

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.

Q: Dear sir/madam, We are Dubai based company. We have committed with a main contractor for a project. We have completed the work but he paid only 25% of the full contact value. The balance amount is not paid. So what do we have to do to get our payment?

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!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, How can we file a complaint against a contractor? Our swimming pool was completed in October and has been leaking ever since. They have attempted to repair it twice, but it is still leaking. We have sent them a letter stating that we are terminating the contract because they are unable to complete the work to an acceptable standard. What should be our next step?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I am looking for some advice. Twelve months ago, we hired a contractor to install a concrete pool. To date, we haven't been able to use the pool due to a leak. They keep trying to "fix" it, but I have no confidence in them anymore. Last week, another contractor came to the villa to look at it testing some of the fittings that I thought could be the reason. He removed some of the fittings and gave me a gut-wrenching comment. The concrete used for the pool is, in his opinion, "not good." What course of action can I take now? I obviously need to get the pool fixed, but I'm assuming the contractor won't accept liability. Can I involve the DM (Department of Municipality)?

Q: How can I get a refund from a contractor who failed to complete renovation work in Dubai? The contractor agreed to refund but he isn’t transferring the money. He is just dragging me around with fake promises.

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.