Q: 5 years back, I paid a real estate broker an amount of AED 797,420 in cash towards booking amount for 3 units in an under construction building in Dubai Marina. He has cheated me by giving me bogus stamped registration forms from the developer and has never paid the money to them. The developer has no record of me in their system. I have tried to speak numerous times with the broker but he insists that the documents are all true and the money has been paid to the escrow account, but the developer has verbally confirmed otherwise. Since the forms are all bogus, the developer is refusing to communicate with me officially. I need legal assistance to get information from the developer as they are the only ones who can prove that these forms are bogus. Do let me know future course of action and fees applicable as well. Best Regards,

Q: Good day, Madam, I had a deal with a real estate broker in Dubai for a flat located in Sharjah. Paid everything since 17-Apr-19 after almost 2 weeks still no contract presented to me. I decided to go directly to the building management and found that the broker I contacted did not provide to them the cash and all cheques I have issued, though a receipt was given to me by the broker. Then the building management summoned the broker asking the later to hand over the cash and the cheques, however, the cash is now lacking AED 1000. The building management found out as well the commission charge against me by the broker was AED 2000 which is 40% more and an unnecessary additional charge of 300 for PRO services. Can I make a complaint against the broker? Many thanks

Q: I approached a broker from an agency to rent an office in Business Bay. So he informed us to pay 23000 and broker charges first, then they will provide us with the documents and key. After the payment, the broker gave the key and tenancy contract and told me that the owner of the office will come with me to register the EJARI and gave me the contact number of the owner. I checked with the owner, he said the previous tenant ran away so he has to unblock something, and he is trying to do. After 13 days still, he is trying to unblock something. We didn't get the EJARI till now. Without EJARI, we cannot move to the new location and we cannot apply to Etisalat connection. Can I ask for the payment back and cancel the contract they made for me? And also, can I collect back the broker charges? Do I need to move legally, and if so, where should I complain about this matter? Thank you

Q: My landlord wants to evict me (60 days notice) because he wants to sell the property. I told him that he has to give me a 12 months notice which he sent and we received. He also wants to increase the rent above the RERA Index Calculator. I informed him that I am not willing to pay the increase above RERA calculator and also because he did not give us a 3 months notice for the increase and asking me to leave in 2 months. He does not want to renew the contract saying I did not confirm to him my intention to stay (as per contract it says 2 months notice to be given by the tentant or landlord if they want to stay or leave) and that I should leave in 2 months. I am aware that he knows we want to stay since we are discussing rent and eviciton in 12 months the landlord is using this now to evict us. We want him to be fair and want to understand our rights.

An interview-format article covering the topic of defaulting on commercial lease in the UAE and related procedures. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW. In this article, Ludmila discusses what one should do if the tenant becomes unresponsive.

The provisions of this Law apply to real property leased out in the Emirate of Dubai, including vacant and agricultural lands, but excluding hotel establishments and real property provided by natural or legal persons as accommodation to their employees at no charge.

Provisions of this Law supersede articles (2), (3), (4), (9), (13), (14), (15), (25), (26), (29), and (36) of Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai. 

This Decree establishes a specialised judicial system to hear rent disputes and develops the procedure for determination of such disputes through an expeditious and simple process for the purpose of realising social and economic stability for all persons involved with the real property rental and other related sectors.