Q: A broker told me that to reserve a villa unit, I have to give a 50k cheque and assured me that he will not send it to the bank to be encashed; it is just for reservation purposes. I told him clearly I don’t have funds and not to deposit my cheque until I confirm him to present it. I liked one unit and asked him to reserve it but to make sure not to deposit the cheque until I give him confirmation for the same. He didn’t wait for my confirmation and called me saying the cheque got deposited but I refused and told him strongly to take back the cheque from the bank. I managed somehow to hold the cheque from banking and the sales guy offered me to stop the cheque and make a payment of 20k which will hold back my cheque. He also said he will return back the cheque to me, and with this agreement, I paid 20k through a credit card. I got online payment receipts also. After this transaction, the sales guy went out of the UAE and came back after 10 days. But still, I did not get my cheque back nor the new reservation form. Every time I ask him about the cheque he says it's in process.

Q: Dear Dr Amira, I entered into an agreement with mortgage brokerage to help me procure a loan for a property in Dubai, further to which the firm asked me to pay upfront an amount of AED 470K. This included down payment and other misc. charges. The brokerage company has managed to procure the loan but now have used my down payment and does not have the funds to conclude the transfer. What are my legal options? Please advise

Q: Hi, My form F on a property purchase stipulates that "if the buyer is unable to obtain a finance loan within 10 days of the contract, deposit cheque must be returned." In this instance, the seller delayed initial valuation viewings (so now past 10 days) and now valuation has come in less than the asking price, effecting my ability to borrow the necessary amount. Are there any local/federal laws in the Emirate of Dubai that also provide any overriding defence? Thanks

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 law promulgates UAE Civil Procedures Code (Civil Procedure Law) which governs civil procedures in the United Arab Emirates, including the prosecution before the courts, litigation and execution.