Q: Hi, We are quite new in this country; only a few months. We thought that it is a good opportunity to buy a property without seeking legal advice. Unfortunately, we have attempted to buy a property, but we have ended up having more problems. Currently, we have a dispute with the seller since we have asked our deposit back as the bank valuation came a lot less than the mutually agreed property value. We have also experienced some other issues that have broken our trust in the real estate agent so we simply want to call off and cancel our contract. In the contract, there is a section which sets a condition that if the valuation comes lower than a certain amount, this contract shall be cancelled and the deposit should be returned to us, but unfortunately, the amount is missing there. I was wondering if I still have a valid case to ask my deposit while there isn't a defined amount, but the condition itself is there?

Q: Hi, I have a concern. We have signed a contract with a seller, but it's not an F contract. We signed an MOU, which is an A contract, and the seller has signed the same, which is a B (this comes from the real estate agency). The seller has specified the date of transfer and confirmed his availability to the agent, but the agent didn't inform us as a buyer. The seller raised a complaint in RERA mentioning that the buyer didn't show up to sign the NOC, knowing we, as a buyer, had sent many emails to the agent as follow-ups. However, it was ending up with the same answer from the agent that the seller was not answering his calls and he did not confirm the date to sign the NOC. We went to RERA, and they asked us to solve the issue between us. Now we are waiting for the seller to see if he would like to proceed with the sale. My question is, as a buyer, how to protect ourselves as we have given a deposit cheque to the agent and paid for the conveyance fees and valuation? What is the next step from our side?

Q: Hello, Can I have legal clarification on whether estate agents in Dubai are allowed to charge a non-refundable commission fee upfront before the sale of a property? Thanks in advance!

This Bylaw regulates the Real Estate Brokers Register in the Emirate of Dubai. No person may engage in real estate brokerage activities in Dubai unless he is licensed by the competent entities and entered in the register, which is 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.