Q: I signed a Sales Purchase Agreement with a buyer on a cash-buy basis and deposit 10% of the cost of the property. We agreed to meet at RERA in 30 days of to effect the transfer of the title deed. 60 days have passed and the buyer has informed me that he does not have the full amount for the transfer of the title deed. What should I do with the 10% deposit?

Q: Hi, I had signed an MOU to buy an apartment. I had the following clause in the MOU: "This sale purchase contract is subject to the final approval from the Buyers Banks" My mortgage has been rejected by one bank. While I was processing my mortgage with another bank the MOU expired and the seller is not willing to extend the MOU. Can I claim my deposit check back from the agent? Thanks, Dinesh

Q: I bought an off-plan property. After completion, I found out that the property didn't correspond of what I have signed in the SPA. I withdrew from the contract. The legal consultant of the company claims that I'm not entitled to have back my 4% which I have paid to DLD. As I never became in possession of my property I am wondering if I can claim back my 4% which I have already paid due to the fact that the property under my name needs to be deregistered? Thanks in advance for your help. Best regards

Q: REFUND FROM UNPROFESSIONAL DEVELOPER, NO CONTRACT, NO OQOOD, NO PROGRESS We purchased properties with Royal Estates in DIP - we have paid approximately 25% of the final value already, however they have broken the law on at least 2 issues, as they haven't given us a contract within 15 days of our reservation form plus there is no Oqood. There is no work on the site also. The developer is constantly making excuses for past two years and is most unprofessional and unhelpful - they are unlawfully keeping our money. The reservation form is null and void as we purchased in 2015. Is there a way we can get a straightforward refund from the Escrow account that DLD holds? There's no point for a court case as there's no challenge with the developer - anyone can see they have breached law, and I'm sure Dubai want to keep a good reputation to foreign investors without making things legally expensive and messy. Your advice on the law for this simple situation is appreciated, Thank you

Q: A client has entered into a contract for purchasing a property in instalments. The company had refused to give him a contract to sign, refused to assign him a representative and in turn, he has defaulted on at least one instalment. He wants to exit the contract but the company would not refund his deposit. What are his rights?

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 signed an MOU to purchase a property. My seller is now asking for more money and threatening to not sell the property even though the MOU has an automatic extension clause of 20 more days. What shall I do? P.S. My mortgage final offer is signed and he is supposed to apply for a NOC which he is not doing.

Q: Thank you in advance for this platform which helps others. My wife paid a business owner a down payment of 45,000 AED for a salon that they are selling. This was in December. The owners signed an agreement that they will hand over the documentation and tenancy contract to us. They gave us the key to the unit as well since the salon is closed. Due to an issue with their property management, the handover was delayed and they missed out on several deadlines that we have an agreement on in writing. They gave a security cheque of 45,000 AED as a guarantee with a promise in writing that if they don't hand over the business, we can encash the cheque. It has been 3 months since they committed to hand over the business, They are not answering calls and are not cooperating. We want to deposit the cheque. If it's bounced, we will bring it to the attention of the police. May we request your advice on this situation!

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.

This Law establishes interim property register in which sale contracts, off-plan sales, and other off-plan legal dispositions of real property are registered prior to inclusion in the property register 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.

This Resolution approves the Implementing Bylaw of Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai.