Q: I have paid about 15% of installments to an off-plan project. However, due to Covid-19, I am unable to keep up with repayments at the time being. I am also concerned that it has been almost 2 years since I signed the contract and no work has started on the project, it seems no progress. The handover was scheduled to be in 2021 but now delayed to 2022. How could I cancel without losing my 15% paid? And if I continue to pay, but I am not happy with being delayed and never starting work, what should be done?

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

Q: I have purchased a property off-plan, which was due to complete Sept 2020, however, the project has been delayed and not even reached 10% completion. And now with the COVID-19 situation, the developer has decided to prioritize other projects and informed me the unit I purchased will be delayed as a minimum for 2 years. But to make good by me, they are offering me a unit in the sister development for the same price, which is one of the projects they are prioritizing to complete. But they are only offering it to me at the same square foot price as the other unit, and this unit is slightly smaller too. Also, this project is anticipated to complete q3 2021, which is 18 months later than what signed up for with the first unit. I want to understand what compensation I can claim as I feel they are not offering to be adequate compensation for the delay and nor doing be a deal on this unit. Please advise. Just to highlight the delays to the first project were before this COVID-19 issue.

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.

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.