Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
7 available 7 • View allThe responsibility to clear service charges after buying a unit from auctions
4
Q: Hello,
We bought a unit from auctions in 2018. We got court letters for registration of the property under our names and service charges clearance letter.
The issue is that the developer never cleared service charges before our date of ownership. Recently, with the launch of MOLLAK system, the owner association is asking us to pay previous balances before 2018.
We asked the OA and auditor several times to apply court decisions without success. The court letter is written against the developer and not OA.
Thank you!

Feb 25, 2021
735
Who is responsible to pay the admin fee for tenancy contract renewal in UAE?


2
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I am in the process of renewing my tenancy contract and the agent is claiming AED 1000 administration fee for the renewal. This was not stipulated in the contractual agreement that was signed for the current rental term.
Am I responsible to pay this admin fee?
From my understanding, the landlord is responsible for paying the admin fee for renewal. Is this correct?
Please note that this is for the combined tenancy agreement only and not for the EJARI. I have the responsibility to renew the EJARI.



Aug 10, 2023
3545
What to do if developer does not acknowledge clearing service charges by court?


2
Q: I have purchased a property unit through court and have a court letter that clears service charges for the previous owner.
The developer OA acknowledged it but still has not amended it because of their bureaucracy (4 months so far).
Even though they acknowledged that the service charge was wrong, they sent me a legal notice through Molak that I had to pay in 30 days or they would auction the unit.
Now, I am not sure what to do, believe the developer and wait for them to fix the service charge, pay the wrong service charge to avoid legal action like auctioning the unit, or file a complaint with the court or RERA.



Sep 26, 2023
141
Developer asks for full year's service charges despite purchase at year-end. Can I refuse?




2
Q: Hello,
I bought a property from a developer in Q4 2023 and got the keys handed over in November 2023.
They have returned to me to pay additional service charges for the entire year although I purchased the flat from the previous owner in the last quarter of the year.
I sent them multiple emails to explain the reason behind it and to ask them to send any legal statement showing that the new owners are responsible for paying additional fees, though this is unfair from my perspective as I have been the owner of the property starting from Nov 2023.
Some friends told me that they received a letter from their lawyers which they sent to the developer questioning this procedure and refusing to pay this.
Since I don't have such a statement to send to them as well, is there any opportunity for somebody to help me in writing one, hopefully getting the chance not to pay the additional fees?
Thanks!





+2
May 10, 2024
543
How can I pay my portion of a joint fine when I can’t reach the other parties?




1
Q: Dear Lawyers,
In a case where multiple people are involved and a fine is issued jointly, but there is no way to contact the other parties to resolve it, how can I pay the fine for only myself?





+2
Nov 28, 2024
81
Should both co-owners be listed as landlords in the tenant’s contract renewal?




1
Q: Good afternoon,
My husband and I recently purchased a property with a tenant. We would like to renew the tenant’s contract under the same terms, and the tenant agrees.
My question is: Should the landlord and lessor stated in the contract include both my husband and me, or is it sufficient to list only his name?
We are co-owners, with a 50/50 split.
Thank you for your assistance!





+5
Jan 24, 2025
131
How is a fine divided among four parties in a case?


1
Q: Hello,
A friend of mine was sentenced in a case with a fine of 2.5 million dirhams, and there were four parties involved in this case.
How is the fine to be paid?
What are the criteria for determining who pays how much?



Feb 7, 2025
72
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allLaw No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai 1
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.
Aug 14, 2008
4860
Law No. (9) of 2009 Amending Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai 2
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.
Apr 12, 2009
3141
Executive Council Resolution No. (6) of 2010 Approving the Implementing Bylaw of Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai 3
This Resolution approves the Implementing Bylaw of Law No. (13) of 2008 Regulating the Interim Property Register in the Emirate of Dubai.
Feb 14, 2010
5155

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I recently purchased a rented apartment in Abu Dhabi and agreed to honor the existing lease. After the transfer, I discovered that the lease is not a Tawtheeq contract, meaning it is not officially registered.
Since I am not receiving rent (as it was a non-refundable arrangement with the seller), I prefer not to issue a new Tawtheeq. I also want to avoid a formal notice to vacate to prevent disputes, as I plan to move in.
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What to do if you get terminated and denied gratuity for a minor mistake? 0
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A person currently under a deportation order wishes to appoint a trusted person with Power of Attorney (POA) to manage their financial and legal matters, including access to their bank account and other obligations.
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Dear Sir/Madam,
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Will the court automatically unfreeze the account once this is done, or will I need to petition the court to issue an order to unfreeze it?
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What is the process of renewing the visa while a criminal case is still ongoing? 0
What is the process of renewing the visa while a criminal case is still ongoing?
I got first instance court judgment in my favor and was declared innocent, however, the prosecution filed the appeal.
My residence visa is due for renewal next week. Can I process my renewal or it is blocked till the time this case is over?
Jan 10, 2025
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I received a judgment in my favor from RDC that awarded me legal fees. Does this include lawyer fees? 0
I have received a judgment in my favor from RDC that awarded me legal fees.
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The public prosecution appealed a judgment to increase the fine I already paid. What do I do now? 0
Good afternoon,
Thank you for your time.
The public prosecution appealed my judgment (a fine that I satisfactorily cleared) and requested increasing the fine.
Can you please explain what happens during a criminal case appeal hearing for me as a defendant?
Will I be asked questions?
Is the hearing just for the Public Prosecution to present their appeal to the judge, and I do not need to give a response?
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Can we give a salary certificate to a new hired employee before he starts to open a bank account? 0
Dear lawyers,
The new employee will start on June 1, 2025. However, he would like to open a new bank account in the UAE thus asking to provide the salary certificate mentioning his salary in AED and if possible not mentioning the start date.
Legally, can the company provide such a certificate?
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I received a termination letter from my company on January 31st, 2025, with a one-month notice period, stating my last working day as February 28th, 2025.
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Do I need to hire a lawyer if I found I have a marital case against me in the court? 1
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كيف يمكنني الاستعلام عن قضية إبعاد أمني ومحاولة العودة إلى الإمارات؟ 0
السلام عليكم،
أود الاستفسار بشأن قضية إبعاد زوج خالتي من دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة. زوج خالتي كان مقيماً في الإمارات وكان قد وُلد وترعرع هناك.
في عام 2013 تم إبعاده من الإمارات، وكان ذلك نتيجة لسياسات حكومية كانت تستهدف مجموعة من المقيمين في تلك الفترة، وهو لم يكن قد ارتكب أي مخالفة في ذلك الوقت وكان يُعتبر ضحية للسياسات المتبعة.
أرغب في معرفة الإجراءات التي يجب أن أتبعها حالياً من أجل رفع هذا الإبعاد وتمكينه من العودة إلى الإمارات.
أرجو أن توضح لي كيف يمكنني مساعدته في هذا الموضوع.
شكراً جزيلاً.
May 1, 2025
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My previous organization has not yet released EOSB because I contacted a client. Is this legal? 0
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Can I renew my trade license and visa if I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me? 0
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How to file a case against my former company for unpaid salary I was not on their visa? 0
Dear Legal Advice Middle East,
I hope you are well.
I am seeking legal advice regarding an unpaid salary issue with my former employer, [-----]2 LLC. I was employed with them from December 4, 2024, to January 7, 2025, on a monthly salary of 5,000 AED.
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Given this situation, I would appreciate your guidance on how I can legally pursue the recovery of my remaining salary, considering the complications related to my visa status during the employment.
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Does filing an online rental dispute by a landlord lead to a travel ban on the tenant? 0
Hello,
Does the initiation of an online rental dispute case by a landlord in Dubai automatically lead to the imposition of a travel ban on the tenant?
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