Questions & Answers
Seller backed out after manually signing due to DLD website outage. What to do?
Dear Lawyers,
I am a Dubai resident. I found a property in Dubai to buy through a real estate agent, and the seller agreed on the price I offered.
At the time of signing the Sale Contract (Form F) on the DLD website, the system was down, so we signed it manually and gave the deposit check to the agent.
The contract stated that the RERA system was down and that when it is back in operation, we should refile Form F digitally within 24 hours. The next day, the agent prepared it, and I signed it, but the seller refused to.
He proceeded with the sale of the property to a different buyer and refused to pay the penalty stated in the contract. My questions are:
1. Is this legal?
2. Can he sell it to someone else even though he signed a contract with me?
3. RERA couldn't block the sale because the contract was done manually and not registered in their system. Do I have legal rights to demand the penalty be paid or for the sale to go through?
I have a copy of the sale contract with his signature.
Hello dear questioner,
If the contract was signed manually, everything was agreed upon, and you have a copy of the signed agreement, the seller has violated the obligation stipulated in the contract, as this is assumed to be an initial sales contract.
In this case, we can file a lawsuit for the contract's validity and your receipt of the property, or claim compensation.
You have these two options. We can assist you with this matter, but we need to review the terms of the contract to discuss it further.
Please share your WhatsApp number.

You can demand the fine stipulated in the contract.
Kindly contact us on phone number [--------] so we can help you.

Dear questioner,
If it was registered in the RERA system, then you could definitely file and claim the penalty. However, in your situation, it is not registered.
But if you have incurred any expenses based on this agreement, we can send a legal notice and then file a dispute with sufficient proof.
If you need our assistance, kindly share your WhatsApp number.
There are complexities involved due to the manual signing and lack of registration in RERA’s system. However, you do possess legal rights based on your signed agreement with the seller.
You may pursue penalties or insist on completing the sale, depending on your lawyer's advice based on local laws.
Greetings!
In accordance with RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Agency) rules and regulations in the UAE, your situation involves important legal considerations.
Here are the key points you should consider:
- Contract Validity:
Since you both signed the Sale Contract (Form F), it indicates that there was mutual agreement on the terms.
The fact that it was signed manually due to the system being down does not inherently invalidate the contract, especially since you have a copy with the seller's signature.
- Obligations upon Signing:
When a Sale Contract is signed, the seller is typically bound to the terms, including the obligation not to sell to another party unless agreed upon.
If the contract included a penalty for the seller should they sell the property to someone else, you may have grounds to claim that penalty.
- RERA Registration:
While RERA's digital system is used for formal registration, a signed contract is still a legal document.
The seller's refusal to honor the contract may constitute a breach of contract, especially since the sale was not properly concluded with another buyer before you both signed.
- Legal Rights:
You do have potential legal rights to enforce the terms of the contract.
In summary, while the manual signing and the lack of registration through RERA complicate matters, you still have potential legal avenues to pursue based on the signed contract and the obligations laid out within it.
You can contact us via phone or email for legal advice and support.
Dear Questioner,
Thank you for reaching out with your inquiry regarding the recent property sale situation!
I understand your concerns, and I am here to provide clarity on the matter.
- Legality of the Seller's Actions:
The seller’s decision to sell the property to another buyer, despite having signed a contract with you, is generally considered a breach of contract.
Once a sale contract is signed, the seller is typically bound by its terms and should not engage in further negotiations or sales with other parties.
- Your Legal Rights:
Given that you possess a signed copy of the contract, you may have grounds to pursue legal action against the seller for breach of contract.
This could include seeking enforcement of the sale or demanding payment of any penalties specified within the contract. It is advisable to consult with a legal professional to explore your options in this regard.
- Impact of RERA Registration:
While the manual signing of the contract may affect its formal recognition within the RERA system, the signed agreement between you and the seller still holds legal weight.
However, the lack of registration may complicate matters should a dispute arise. It is essential to consult a legal expert who can provide specific guidance based on the details of your case.
I recommend gathering all related documentation, including communications and the signed contract, to support your position.
Please let me know if you need any further assistance or would like to discuss this matter in more detail.
Do not hesitate to contact me via phone or email at [--------].
Best regards,
Mo.Salah

If you have a contract signed by both parties (the seller and the buyer), you have the full right to sue him.
Please let me check the contract. Send it to my WhantsApp [--------] for my review.
Dear Questioner,
It is not legal for the seller to sell the property to someone else after signing a contract with you. This is considered a breach of contract and you have the right to take legal action against the seller.
You can file a complaint with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and provide them with a copy of the signed contract and the deposit check as proof.
The DLD may impose penalties on the seller for breaching the contract.

Hello,
Of course, if you have a copy of the purchase contract, you can go to court.
I assure you that you will be awarded the penalty amount, and it is not a condition that the contract be registered on the RERA system.
To obtain free legal advice that includes all the details, kindly contact us.
Dear Questioner,
Thank you for reaching out with your query, and I completely understand your concern regarding this matter. Given the situation you described, several important legal points need to be considered.
Firstly, since you have a signed contract (even if it was done manually due to the system outage), that document may still carry legal weight, especially if the terms were clear and both parties agreed to the sale and penalties.
The fact that the buyer signed the contract with you, and subsequently sold the property to someone else, could potentially constitute a breach of contract.
In Dubai, once a sale agreement is signed, both parties are typically bound by its terms.
Even though the RERA system was down, the agreement could still be enforceable, and you may be entitled to claim the penalty outlined in the contract or pursue further legal action to enforce the sale, depending on the circumstances.
I would recommend reviewing the contract in detail and assessing the seller's actions further. I can help you file a claim against the seller if necessary, to recover the penalty or potentially force the sale, depending on what is most beneficial in your situation.
Please feel free to reach out to me via WhatsApp or phone at [---------], or by email at [---------], and we can discuss your next steps in detail.
Best regards,
Suhail Rana

Hi,
If the contract was legally binding, the seller might not be able to sell the property to someone else without consequences.
However, the absence of digital registration through RERA could potentially complicate matters. If the contract includes a penalty clause for breach of contract, you might be entitled to claim it.
Similarly, if the contract specifies that the sale should proceed, you could potentially enforce that term.
For further assistance, kindly share your contact details.