Q: Hi, I have put 5% deposit on a property in Dubai and I have also paid 2% DLD fees + OQOOD. I have more payments starting in 2 weeks but I can't afford to continue with the purchase. Am I entitled to any money back?

Q: Hi, I am going to buy an apartment in Dubai. If I am going directly from the seller's broker, shall we both (seller and buyer) pay 2% each to this broker? And also it asks for a convenience fee of 5000 Dhs, what is it? Thanks

Q: Could you kindly advise if it is correct to put in an MOU that I, as the seller will be penalized an amount equivalent to the deposit for not transferring on the expected date? The MOU states that I would need to pay this to the buyer- also it states that the deposit cheque is refundable on the date of transfer- what does this mean? Thanks

Q: Hello, I have signed an MOU where the buyer failed to complete the transaction as per the date of transfer plus the extension. Thus, the MOU expired. I have requested from the agency the 10% deposit cheque signed by the buyer. They refused to give it to me and requested an extension without any penalties or price increase despite the market appreciation by 10%. What can I do to get the cheque legally from them? I am already in a big issue because I already bought a bigger unit having in mind that my unit is sold. They are asking for an MOU extension but the prices went up and I request the fair price as per the market and they are refusing to pay the increase. Appreciate it if somebody can provide me with feedback on these two points: 1- Can the agency hold the cheque and not give it to me? Aren't they violating the law here? 2- What can be done in this case and what would the next steps be? Thanks in advance, Regards,

Q: Dears, I was trying to buy a house in Dubai using a mortgage loan. I signed an MOU with the seller. Unfortunately, the mortgage defaulted and I didn't get the expected loan amount. I requested for MOU cancellation, but the seller rejected and sent me a Notarial Notice to start legal action against me and to encash the cheque. What should I do? Should I hire a lawyer and prepare for legal defense? Thank you in advance dears.

Q: I paid an AED 8190 booking fee in February, but the agent then failed to provide the apartment or even a contract which was to be signed on the 15th of March. As per our agreement, I requested a refund. We had a back-and-forth, and then they gave me a cheque for the amount to be cashed on the 28th of March. On the 27th, they messaged me to say not to cash the cheque. I feel I am being scammed. What do I do?

Q: Hi, I bought an off-plan property from a developer in November 2022 and signed a sale and purchase agreement (SPA). The handover is scheduled for 2026, and I have paid 20% of the total amount. However, my financial situation has changed and I can no longer afford to make the payments. The developer has informed me that if I cancel the contract, I will forfeit my deposit and be liable for cancellation fees. I would like to know if there is any legal way to cancel the contract and get my money back from them.

Q: Hi, I have a situation where I signed an MoU and gave my security deposit to the seller's agent. However later, the bank valuation of the property is lower than the selling price. On my MoU, it has a clause that “the buyer has a right to cancel/negotiate if the bank valuation is not the same as MoU.” I tried to negotiate, however, we didn't agree on the price so I asked to cancel. Now the agent is threatening me that they will not cancel the MoU and that will deposit my cheque. Later I also came to know that the person I am dealing with is not the same person whose name is mentioned as a broker in the MoU. The agent I am dealing with is constantly messaging me with threats. I decided not to speak to him and instead, I wrote an email to the broker whose name is mentioned on the MoU but received no response. I am on a very tight timeline as I need to vacate my apartment in 3 weeks, I found another unit but I don't know if I can pursue this while the initial MoU still not canceled. Please, I need advice.

Q: Hello to all. We are purchasing a house with a home loan. We signed the MOU on 31/10 and unfortunately, it took the bank approximately 2 months to complete the whole process. Now the MOU has already expired and the seller is asking for an additional 10% security deposit as compensation for the delay. It is not our fault as we don't have control over the bank approvals. Can they do that? Are we protected from DLD in this matter as the property is under mortgage?   Thank you

The UAE has taken a bold step toward legislating the mortgage of movable assets after it was completely regulated by the Civil Code. The Federal Law No. 20 of 2016 Concerning the Mortgage of Moveable Assets, which came into effect 90 days after it was published in the Official Gazette on December 15, 2016, was a welcomed change by lenders after it gave them the ability to secure their debts with movable assets.

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 apply to the mortgage of real roperty as security for debt. It makes no difference whether the debt is secured by a charge over the whole of the property or over an undivided interest therein or by right in rem or personal right over a property marked as sold off-plan.