Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
6 available 6 • View allCan the buyer get the security deposit if backs out in a property purchase MOU?

3
Q: Hi,
What if the buyer backs out in the purchase of a property after the internal MOU drafted by the seller was signed?
There was a clause stating the security deposit will be returned upon full payment. Form F from the DLD was not yet signed.
In this case, can we still get the 10% security deposit or not?
Nov 8, 2022
1739
Withdrawing from a sale agreement when the seller does note abide by the terms
2
Q: If Form F of a property states that a property is tenanted to a certain date, and the date is incorrect, does the buyer have a claim to withdraw from the sale?
Essentially, I was told in writing that the tenant would "leave" the property by a certain date.
The actual notice was served to the client after the date of Form F being served, meaning that the tenant will be in the apartment for a further 12 months.
Do I have a right to withdraw as a buyer and have my deposit cheques returned?
Jun 3, 2021
1147
Precautions while signing a property purchase MOU via POA and giving cheque


2
Q: I am going to buy a property through an agent in a registered company.
Just before signing an MOU and giving a 10% cheque, we came to know that the owner is not here and the stated name in the MOU is the holder of POA (power of attorney).
What should I do in this situation? With whom to sign the MOU and under whose name is the cheque to be given?
They put the name of the POA holder but the title deed has the name of the owner.
Should we ask for POA and get it verified? How to verify it?
Dec 8, 2021
1318
I have signed Form F and got the mortgage but the seller is in breach. What to do?




1
Q: 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
946
What can I do with the property seller who failed to do the transfer as per the MOU?



3
Q: Hello,
I signed a contract Form F with the seller through an agent on 1st Aug 2023. He was supposed to finish the transfer on 16th October but he did not do the transfer.
The property was 90% completed at the time of making the contract and he assured us that in one month he would finish the property. I sent him the legal notice on 16th Oct 2023 which is the last date of the MOU.
After the date of expiry of the contract, he is demanding more money. We agreed verbally on the new price but still, he avoids making a new MOU.
He puts all the clauses in his favor removing the main clause that if he backs out, there will be no penalty.
Nov 23, 2023
299
Getting a deposit or compensation if the buyer backs out after signing the MOU




2
Q: Hello,
A buyer of my property has refused to proceed after signing the MOU. Form F indicates the penalty type as "NO."
Am I entitled to a deposit cheque or compensation?
I have already rejected other buyers and came to Dubai for the deal, but the buyer is not answering the phone.
+1
Dec 25, 2023
514
Legal blog
1 available 1 • 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
1172
Laws & Regulations
1 available 1 • 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
148640

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Is it mandatory to visit the CID in person to update my records? 2
Respected Advisors,
I have been involved in a few criminal cases since 2017, but all of them were cleared by this year. I have obtained release letters for all the cases from the public prosecution office through an online portal.
Recently, I also received my residence visa. After the visa process was completed, I applied for a PCC online. However, the request was rejected.
I contacted the 901 office, and they advised me to visit the CID. I arranged for a power of attorney to be granted along with all the necessary documents to update the system.
Twice I was told to come in person, but I am hesitant to do so because of my previous negative experience.
Could someone please advise me whether I must go in person or if the person holding the power of attorney can handle the process?
Thank you!
Nov 15, 2023
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How can the heirs of a deceased person distribute his shares if there is a minor? 1
My father died recently. We are Muslim residents in Dubai. I have siblings including a minor who is 16 years old. My father has land and vehicles under his name.
If I am applying for inheritance, does the minor need to have a share in ALL the properties and vehicles or can she be given a particular property/vehicle?
Secondly, if we want the land to be in her name, and she manages it (like renting and bank), does it require an adult?
Can the vehicles be transferred to someone else’s name without including her?
Your guidance will be very much appreciated.
Oct 26, 2023
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Senior executive unfairly dismissed: How much compensation to claim? 2
Dear Sir/Madam,
I have been unfairly dismissed (it's personal on their end) and have been given only two months' salary apart from the compulsory gratuity and notice pay.
I would like to claim more than two months as I am a senior executive (Director).
Up to how much should I claim, and would this be a realistic amount for me to "win"?
Oct 16, 2023
158
Can we file a claim against an employee if he caused a financial loss to the company? 2
There was a legal action against an employee who failed to participate in an international event in Saudi Arabia due to a family issue that resulted in a travel ban, which in turn led to the non-signing of an AED 100,000 deal resulting in a loss to the company.
- What legal grounds exist for the employer to pursue legal action against the employee in this scenario?
- Does UAE labor law provide any specific guidance or remedies for such situations?
- What are the desired outcomes or remedies the employer can seek through legal action?
- Are there any potential legal consequences or liabilities for the employer in pursuing this case?
- What documentation and evidence are needed to support the employer's case?
Sep 14, 2023
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What are my options if my husband is refusing to pay child support? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
What are the charges to open an execution file in Sharjah for a divorce case and how much time will it take to execute the court order?
My husband told the court that he does not have money to pay for me and my daughter's expenses because he is earning a minimum amount in which he can only survive.
In that case, what can I do?
He closed all his bank accounts and sent money to his parents in India. He also told me that he will show in court that he does not have a job or money, so the court or police cannot do anything to him.
Can you please guide me on what I can do in this case? I do not have any proof of his salary or bank account because he was not informing me about anything related to his financial matters.
In fact, he was forcing me to ask my parents to send money to us. Because of no proof, the court agreed with him and rejected my appeal. I do not have a job and I am struggling for basic expenses.
Can I request the court to inquire about his gratuity and end of service?
Or can the court ask him to submit proof of the money that he received from his company, as he was working for 30 years in the same company?
Sep 13, 2023
361

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UAE credit card was used fraudulently abroad. Bank and police won’t act. What can I do? 0
Hello,
I had a fraudulent and unauthorized transaction on my credit card, but the bank is saying no action can be taken as it happened outside the country.
We approached the police, but they are saying to proceed legally as it happened outside the country.
May 28, 2025
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What to do if our landlord keeps ignoring maintenance requests despite a clear contract? 0
Dear All,
We have a question related to private rental law in Dubai. We have been living in the same house (rented) for the last four years.
During those years, we have had to battle our landlord for maintenance at large. Our contract states that ALL maintenance is on his account (no deductible).
We have a lot of small maintenance issues, such as kitchen cabinets that are coming loose, a sewage smell in the house, and a toilet upstairs that still doesn't work after four years (despite attempted maintenance).
How can we deal with him and get him to honor the contract and resolve all of our issues so we can use the house properly? What legal steps can we take?
We have informed him plenty of times over the four years about the problems, but he seems to "ghost" us and does not reply very often.
We have issued him a warning to get things fixed by the end of this month (via WhatsApp), but he doesn't seem to mind.
Hope you can help with advice and maybe RERA down the line.
May 22, 2025
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Can a friend be held liable for sharing my private medical information without my consent? 0
Hello,
I have found out that a friend divulged sensitive and private medical information to others without my consent.
Is this against the law?
May 22, 2025
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After evicting a tenant for renovation, can the landlord rent the property to another tenant? 0
Hello,
If the tenant is evicted due to renovation, once the renovation is done, can the landlord rent the property to a new tenant, or does the landlord have to wait for 2 years?
May 22, 2025
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Can I travel outside the UAE if I have a complaint for breach of trust by embezzlement? 0
Hello,
I have a complaint registered against me. The crime description is "breach of trust by embezzlement."
Can I travel outside the UAE? I don't have any travel ban against me.
May 22, 2025
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UAE credit card was used fraudulently abroad. Bank and police won’t act. What can I do? 0
Hello,
I had a fraudulent and unauthorized transaction on my credit card, but the bank is saying no action can be taken as it happened outside the country.
We approached the police, but they are saying to proceed legally as it happened outside the country.
May 28, 2025
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Is it possible to get out of jail on the same day the case is withdrawn? 0
Hello,
My husband is in jail and the case is still under investigation, but the complainant wants to settle and withdraw the case.
Is it possible for my husband to get out of jail on the same day the case is withdrawn?
May 22, 2025
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Can I travel outside the UAE if I have a complaint for breach of trust by embezzlement? 0
Hello,
I have a complaint registered against me. The crime description is "breach of trust by embezzlement."
Can I travel outside the UAE? I don't have any travel ban against me.
May 22, 2025
19
Can I be sued for posting an honest 1-star review about an upsetting experience? 0
Hello,
I recently made a Google review (and gave 1 star) regarding a grooming gone wrong to my fur baby's long, beautiful coat. Everything was done badly and so wrong; it was so upsetting and disappointing.
The owner reached out and gave some free vitamins to my baby boy and even offered to share my résumé with his contacts because I am currently searching for a job.
After an hour, the owner called asking me to delete my review. I messaged him not to pressure me or force me into doing something I don’t want to do, and told him I didn’t expect he wanted me to delete the review in exchange for the vitamins he gave for my fur baby.
I updated my review and mentioned that I appreciated the gesture. But he called again, threatening that his business partner might file a case against me.
Can they really do that to me, even if I didn’t directly ask for the vitamins and I didn’t say any bad word against their company?
I just made an honest review based on an upsetting and frustrating grooming service.
May 21, 2025
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If acquitted by the appeal court, is the travel ban and wanted status automatically removed? 0
Hello,
If acquitted by the appeal court, is the travel ban and wanted status automatically removed? I mean, an innocent verdict was issued by the first instance court, then it was appealed, and after that, the travel ban was there.
Now, the appeal court has issued an acquittal from all charges; so is the travel ban still there, or is it automatically removed after the judgment is issued?
May 21, 2025
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