Q: When purchasing an apartment directly from the developer (not a re-sale) in the UAE, is it improper to ask the developer for the property's title deed? Does a title deed even exist at that time? Or is the first time a title deed is issued for a property is by the time a property is first sold from a developer to a buyer?

Q: Dear, I bought an off-plan property from a developer in 2007 for which I have an Initial Contract of Sale with the Dubai Land Department (Contract no: ------------). As per the Dubai Land Department (in writing) they mentioned that by now, the project is finished and I should have been issued the title deed which is already registered under my name. However, the developer claims (verbally, not in writing) that the project was cancelled. The developer now proposes (verbally, not in writing) to refund my money rather than hand over the apartment. I believe what happened is that after we signed the contract, the developer decided to change their plans and re-sell my apartment to another buyer for a higher price without my approval. I want the developer to honour the contract or compensate me in line with the current value of the apartment I bought. It is being sold currently at a 70% premium compared to when I bought it. The Land Department suggested to take up this issue with the Dubai Courts.

Q: I bought a property from a developer. We signed a sale and purchase agreement. The developer informed me that the title deed will be available by the end of the year. Now the developer is not issuing me a title deed and as per research, the title deed is submitted to the bank and the loan is taken on that by the developer. So I have two questions: 1. Is it legal to sell the property in Dubai even if this property is already mortgaged by the developer? 2. What case should I submit against the developer as they are not issuing my title deed? I have a SPA agreement and a written contract mentioned that the title deed would be delivered by the end of the year?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I signed an MOU on March 22, expecting building completion in April. The MOU had an expiry date of April 22; however, due to rain on April 15, the completion was delayed until May 30, 2024. I received the BCC on June 17 from the developer and paid for the pre-title deed on the seller's behalf to expedite the process. Now, I have completed the pre-approval and valuation, but the bank is asking for the handover notice to release the final cheque, which the seller is refusing to share. The seller claims the MOU has expired, but it includes a force majeure clause. So, is this MOU still binding or not?

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.

This Resolution approves the Implementing Bylaw of Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai.

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.