Q: Good day. I have signed a tenancy agreement via agent for the townhouse to rent in Abu Dhabi on 24 June with a start date of rental on 1st July. Repairs/Repaint works from the previous tenant were yet to be completed by the landlord and are confirmed by the agent that will be finished in a few days' time. I have paid a deposit, agency fees, and 1st payment for 6 months. I received keys on 2nd July and found the rented unit without any significant repairs/repaints done. I returned the keys of the property on the same day to the agent and asked to contact the owner to correct all deficiencies prior to moving. I'm concerned that nothing will be done to resolve this issue promptly (I understand that the key is still not collected from the agent by the landlord so works have not been started yet). What can I do in this situation? What is the process if I want to terminate the contract and receive my money back for the deposit and 1 payment (as well as agency payments)? Thank you RG

Q: I co-own an apartment in Hanover Square, Dubai but I am unable to obtain the keys for my apartment from the management company as they claim the 2nd owner is supposed to be present for key collection. Unfortunately, the second owner is in Pakistan and with the travel restrictions, he is not able to present himself. I tried getting online POA notarized but failed as I couldn't get a reply. I fail to understand! I am also one of the owners and we are not selling the property, we just want to have the keys so that we can utilize the apartment. We were promised that the keys would be given to us once we clear Dubai Land dept. dues but still are not able to take the keys. We have tried reaching the real estate agent, management company&developers, no replies from any one of those. Only the real estate claims that both owners should be present to get the key, otherwise, I need to keep waiting. Else, I need to bring a notarized POA. Any solution to this bizarre query? I am tired of moving back and forth from my resident city of Al-Ain.

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,

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.

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 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.