Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allNon-refundable token amount: what to do when customer asks for refund?


1
Q: Hi,
I am a real estate agent. A customer paid me a token amount of 6300 AED to book a property in Dubai. I gave him a non-refundable receipt in return.
The case was transparent and clear. Two days later, his current landlord gave him a discount on renewal, and he asked me to cancel the booking.
His mother was also looking for the same property, so he asked me to convert the money and rent the same unit to his mother.
However, the landlord rejected his mother's documents, and he is now asking me for a refund.
I have a copy of his signed non-refundable receipt. What should I do?



Aug 28, 2023
426
Refund of rental amount paid in advance to a real estate agent
2
Q: I have paid an advance payment of AED 11,000 in Cash and AED 32,000 in Cheque to Real Estate Agent (Broker) in Sharjah for booking of my rental flat in Sharjah.
Now it's already passed 11 days but no reply from the agent and the agent told me that there is no owner available and the owner's signature is required in the agreement. The agent also doesn't know when the owner will come & will sign.
So, I asked the agent to give my money back but he refused to give money. What should I do now?

Nov 14, 2017
1052
Refund of the broker's fee in case of no agreement with the landlord
8
Q: On 20th April, we paid 5% agency fee and 5% landlord deposit for a new property rental contract, ready to move in on the 1st May.
A week after the 20th April, we contacted the agent and landlord to request to urgently pull out of the agreement due to husband losing his job. We lost the 5% deposit to the landlord as he insisted on cashing our cheque.
However, are we entitled to ask for the 5% agency fee back as we didn't even move into the new property?
We have tried to contact the agent but he is not communicating with us.

May 6, 2020
1664
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allProcedures of the Rental Dispute Settlement Center in Dubai 21
The relationship between tenants and landlords is regulated in Dubai by Law No. 33 of 2008 Concerning the Relationship Between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai. The arising rental disputes are referred to Rental Disputes Settlement Centre (“RDSC”) created by Decree No. 26 of 2013 to reconcile between the parties and reach an amicable settlement or seek a final judgment issued and enforced by the RDSC.
Oct 20, 2018
21361
What You Should Know While Renting a Property in the UAE 5
An interview-format article covering the topic of residential retail properties pertaining to the liability for property maintenance and the repercussions of defaulting on rent payments in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Feb 24, 2020
3932
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allLaw No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 12
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.
Nov 26, 2007
24288
Law No. (33) of 2008 Amending Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 8
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.
Dec 1, 2008
24950
Decree No. (26) of 2013 Concerning the Rent Disputes Settlement Centre in the Emirate of Dubai 0
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.
Sep 18, 2013
7292

Premium
Other answers by
1582 1582 answers •
View allCan a Pakistani expat register a second marriage in the UAE without disclosing the first? 0
Hello,
I want to know the UAE rules regarding second marriage for expats. I am a Pakistani national and already have a wife back in my home country.
Now, I want to do a second marriage in the UAE with a Moroccan girl. Can you please let me know the procedure involved?
Can I get my marriage registered in the UAE? Is it mandatory to disclose the first marriage? I am on an employment visa in Dubai.
Apr 7, 2025
133
Missing business partner since 2003. What to do about his share in the LLC? 0
Hello,
I am a manager of an LLC company with 25% share. In February 2003, a partner joined the company with a 25% share.
After two months, he didn’t like the company and left. After two years, we did not know where he was. We just heard that he left to Tunisia before his visa expired.
What to do with his 25% share, please?
Apr 7, 2025
125
I got a work permit and entry from a Dubai employer for work. What documents do I need to carry? 0
I got a work permit and entry from a Dubai employer for work.
During the travel to Dubai, do I need to show any accommodation proof, return ticket, or anything?
What documents do I need to carry?
Apr 14, 2025
18
What’s the minimum time an employee must work for the employer who brought them to the UAE? 0
Hello,
What is the minimum duration an employee must work for the employer who brought them into the country before they can terminate the contract in the UAE?
Apr 14, 2025
6
How to legally receive income from crypto trading without raising any concerns? 0
Hello,
Hope this message finds you well!
I am seeking legal advice regarding my financial situation as a forex trader living in the UAE under a sponsor work visa. Currently, I do not work for any company and earn my income primarily through cryptocurrency trading.
However, I would like to ensure that I can legally receive and withdraw approximately AED 15,000 per month into my UAE bank account without raising any suspicion from the bank.
My main concerns are:
I am a forex trader and earn money through cryptocurrency, which I then exchange into fiat currency (AED). How can I ensure that the process of depositing this income into my bank account is transparent and compliant with UAE laws to avoid any issues with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations?
Since I do not have a formal job or salary, how should I go about documenting or explaining my income to the bank to avoid any red flags regarding the source of my funds?
Are there any specific steps I need to take to ensure my deposits are compliant?
Apr 14, 2025
21

Other answers by
146 146 answers •
View allWhat can I do if my tenant moved out without notice after serving him rent increase notice? 0
I own a property in Dubai and we issued a 90-day notice to the tenant to advise of the rent increase.
The tenant accepted and confirmed they would be renewing the tenancy agreement.
Before they signed the new tenancy agreement they moved out without giving any notice.
What are my rights in this scenario?
Aug 28, 2024
90
Will my fees be refunded if I close a cheque execution case that I opened against someone? 0
Dear Lawyers,
If I want to close a cheque execution case that I opened against someone, will my fees be refunded to me?
Aug 12, 2024
140
As a partner who loaned money to the company, should I sue the company or my partner? 0
Dear Lawyers,
I am a 50% partner in a company. I had given a 2M AED loan to the company about 10 years ago. There are expert reports and bank records to prove the loan.
The company does not have any bank balances or assets. Should I start a lawsuit against the company and demand 2M AED, or should I start a lawsuit against the other 50% partner and demand 1M AED?
One benefit of suing the company is that I can obtain an acknowledgment of debt, and later in an execution case, I can issue a certificate of solvency to have the other partner arrested.
However, suing the other 50% partner directly would include their name in the executive writ. Please guide me!
(I believe all necessary legal information is provided here. If something is missing, I can provide additional details here.)
Aug 14, 2024
114
How can I withdraw my case to release someone arrested for harassment? 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
I want to withdraw a case against someone who harassed me. She has now been arrested and held at the police station for 4 days.
How can I withdraw the case so she can be released?
Jun 29, 2024
302
What happens next after a DUI arrest and vehicle impound? 0
Dear Lawyers,
I was caught drinking and driving (no accident). They held me in prison for one day, then I signed some papers and they released me.
They also gave me a vehicle impound paper and asked me to come on Monday with my car registration and license.
Do you have any information on what will happen next?
Jul 23, 2024
147
Get quotes from lawyers
Find the right lawyer for your legal needs.
Submit your request and get multiple
competitive offers from
qualified lawyers.
Popular Q&A
View all Looking for something else?
Ask for advice from a lawyer