Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allNew developer wants to change payment terms. How to me to protect my rights?




3
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I bought a residential property for AED 7 million in Dubai from a developer in 2013 and registered the property in the same year. The project has been delayed and is still not complete.
The original developer sold/transferred the project to another developer in 2022. The project is now 60% complete as per the latest RERA inspection report.
The original payment terms in the Sales Purchase Agreement were a final balance payment of 40% to be payable on the handover of the property.
However, now the new developer has drafted a new Sales Purchase Agreement where he is demanding 90% to be paid in stages while construction is in progress, and only a balance of 10% to be payable on the handover of the property.
The RERA website states project completion by Dec 2025.
Please advise if the new developer has the legal right to change these payment terms.
What options are available to me to protect my investment and my rights?





+1
Apr 2, 2024
122
The effect of changing the original SPA many times

1
Q: Based on Dubai's strong reputation, we invested and now own a couple of off-plan properties in the UAE.
(1) Over the years, the master developer has changed the SPA agreement 3 times - how does this affect the original SPA which many owners still hold?
(2) The original SPA does not allow for "sharing or staff accommodation or AirBnB units within the development yet the developer allows this (claiming this is a government directive). Is this legal ie to breach the SPA terms?
(3) As there is no RERA or any property-governing body in this Emirate - what department can be approached to resolve this?


Jun 8, 2021
606
Suing the developer for breaching the terms of SPA
1
Q: In June 2008, I bought an office in DSO, for AED 847.339. The completion date was December 2010. For 8 years, the developer dragged the construction for unknown reasons.
I, therefore, did try through RERA and the Notary Public, to get my money back for breach of contract but the developer refused to answer my request.
Today, 8 years later, the office is ready for the final handover. In between, I lost 8 years of rent (AED 360.000) and the opportunity to sell that office when the market was still high.
Last but not the least, the developer just informed me verbally that the office that was freehold is now leasehold despite what is stipulated in the signed SPA.
Today, I would like to know what are my legal options to get my money back or at least get some compensation.

Aug 7, 2018
1077
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allContracts 101: Official Agreements to WhatsApp Messages 2
An interview-format article covering the topic of contracts in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Mar 3, 2021
1163
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
4866
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
3145
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
5160

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What can I do if the landlord has not been responding to renew the commercial lease contract and Ejari? 0
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For the last 3 years, the landlord's office has not responded to renew the contract, so I contacted RERA for renewal.
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Once the renewal was processed by law, the landlord's office delayed in releasing the Ejari. Since it is a commercial property, my renewals are related to a staff visa, and I have to pay delay penalties.
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How can we find out why the Abu Dhabi court is deducting my husband’s salary? 0
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Is it normal for a Sharjah title deed to say “Joint Property Ownership” if I’m the only owner? 0
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A hair salon caused serious damage to my hair and scalp. What can I do to sue them? 0
I’m looking for legal advice regarding a hair salon incident that caused serious damage to my hair and scalp.
I visited a salon for a colouring treatment, during which two rounds of bleach, which is not what I booked in for, were given to me without proper approvals, and were applied back-to-back without a strand test or proper consultation.
As a result, I’ve been experiencing extreme hair breakage, daily hair loss, and ongoing scalp irritation. This has been especially distressing as I’m currently pregnant.
It’s now been over 20 days since the incident, and despite multiple polite follow-ups, the salon has ignored all communication.
I’m now exploring legal action to pursue compensation for the physical and emotional distress caused. I have full documentation, messages, and photos.
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Is it still applicable to file a complaint with the police for a bounced cheque? 0
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What can I do if the landlord has not been responding to renew the commercial lease contract and Ejari? 0
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For the last 3 years, the landlord's office has not responded to renew the contract, so I contacted RERA for renewal.
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Is accrued annual leave paid if the employee is terminated during probation? 0
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Can a DTC holiday home permit be used as proof that my landlord re-rented the property after evicting me? 1
Hello,
My landlord vacated the property with 12 months' notice, stating he would live there himself.
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Is a permit issued by the DTC for a holiday home valid proof to prove that he is renting and to claim compensation?
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I have video recording of my husband beating me. Can I show this in the child custody hearing? 0
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We won the case with the RDC to evict the tenant. What happens after waiting the cooling period? 0
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Can a free zone visa holder work remotely across the UAE while visiting the company weekly? 1
Hello,
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What are the working hour regulations for nursing mothers in the UAE during Ramadan? 1
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A hair salon caused serious damage to my hair and scalp. What can I do to sue them? 0
I’m looking for legal advice regarding a hair salon incident that caused serious damage to my hair and scalp.
I visited a salon for a colouring treatment, during which two rounds of bleach, which is not what I booked in for, were given to me without proper approvals, and were applied back-to-back without a strand test or proper consultation.
As a result, I’ve been experiencing extreme hair breakage, daily hair loss, and ongoing scalp irritation. This has been especially distressing as I’m currently pregnant.
It’s now been over 20 days since the incident, and despite multiple polite follow-ups, the salon has ignored all communication.
I’m now exploring legal action to pursue compensation for the physical and emotional distress caused. I have full documentation, messages, and photos.
Any guidance on the best next steps or legal routes I can take would be greatly appreciated.
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Is it still applicable to file a complaint with the police for a bounced cheque? 0
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What can I do if the landlord has not been responding to renew the commercial lease contract and Ejari? 0
Good day.
For the last 3 years, the landlord's office has not responded to renew the contract, so I contacted RERA for renewal.
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The landlord's office staff tried to take advantage of the Emirati owner, and no direct meeting was fruitful.
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Is accrued annual leave paid if the employee is terminated during probation? 0
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Despite a waiver, the case is still with the public prosecution. Can I travel? 0
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Is it normal for a Sharjah title deed to say “Joint Property Ownership” if I’m the only owner? 0
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Can the debtor file a bounced cheque case against a car loan I took if it is a guarantee cheque? 0
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I paid for almost 2 years and have 3 years left to be paid, but I gave the person who guaranteed my car a cheque worth AED 73,000 at that time.
I don't have enough requirements to get the 5-year monthly installment car, so I asked someone to help me, but my biggest mistake is that I don't have any agreement for this cheque because I totally trust him as my family.
After delaying payment for 2 months because I went on vacation and came back, he asked me to visit their shop. When I went, they just called me and told me to get his things.
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How to stop my employer from cancelling my visa as it needs to be active in the process of golden visa? 0
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How long does Dubai Court take to seize the amount and lift my travel ban? 0
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Despite a waiver, the case is still with the public prosecution. Can I travel? 0
Hello,
I had a case regarding fraud by technical means, and we did a tanazul.
It was attested and submitted to the court, but the case still hasn’t been dropped and is now with the public prosecution.
What do I do now, as I need to travel urgently?
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A hair salon caused serious damage to my hair and scalp. What can I do to sue them? 0
I’m looking for legal advice regarding a hair salon incident that caused serious damage to my hair and scalp.
I visited a salon for a colouring treatment, during which two rounds of bleach, which is not what I booked in for, were given to me without proper approvals, and were applied back-to-back without a strand test or proper consultation.
As a result, I’ve been experiencing extreme hair breakage, daily hair loss, and ongoing scalp irritation. This has been especially distressing as I’m currently pregnant.
It’s now been over 20 days since the incident, and despite multiple polite follow-ups, the salon has ignored all communication.
I’m now exploring legal action to pursue compensation for the physical and emotional distress caused. I have full documentation, messages, and photos.
Any guidance on the best next steps or legal routes I can take would be greatly appreciated.
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What can I do if the landlord has not been responding to renew the commercial lease contract and Ejari? 0
Good day.
For the last 3 years, the landlord's office has not responded to renew the contract, so I contacted RERA for renewal.
The office doesn't respond to emails related to renewal, even though I started sending emails and reminders 2 to 3 months before expiry, and I have no choice but to contact RERA and send a notice.
Once the renewal was processed by law, the landlord's office delayed in releasing the Ejari. Since it is a commercial property, my renewals are related to a staff visa, and I have to pay delay penalties.
The landlord's office staff tried to take advantage of the Emirati owner, and no direct meeting was fruitful.
What is the law that safeguards expats and sorts out issues without mutual compromise as they try to force their terms to be acceptable by law and not supported by any documentation?
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How can we claim our money back if the cheque we received have bounced for insufficient funds? 0
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We need the money now. We have been to the police station, and they said they can not do anything as the reason the cheque bounced is "Insufficient funds."
We have been to Al Barsha - Dubai Courts, and they said there is nothing they can do about it.
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My wife got her maternity leave after she gave birth prematurely. Can her company pay her only half a salary? 0
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The company she works for refused to give her leave when she requested it before giving birth, claiming that work required it and that she was still in her sixth month.
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Is it still applicable to file a complaint with the police for a bounced cheque? 0
Is it still applicable to file a complaint with the police for a bounced cheque?
May 6, 2025
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What can I do if the landlord has not been responding to renew the commercial lease contract and Ejari? 0
Good day.
For the last 3 years, the landlord's office has not responded to renew the contract, so I contacted RERA for renewal.
The office doesn't respond to emails related to renewal, even though I started sending emails and reminders 2 to 3 months before expiry, and I have no choice but to contact RERA and send a notice.
Once the renewal was processed by law, the landlord's office delayed in releasing the Ejari. Since it is a commercial property, my renewals are related to a staff visa, and I have to pay delay penalties.
The landlord's office staff tried to take advantage of the Emirati owner, and no direct meeting was fruitful.
What is the law that safeguards expats and sorts out issues without mutual compromise as they try to force their terms to be acceptable by law and not supported by any documentation?
May 6, 2025
10
How can we find out why the Abu Dhabi court is deducting my husband’s salary? 0
Hello,
My husband's salary is automatically debited by the Abu Dhabi court as per the bank statements.
However, we do not know exactly what case has been filed against him, and we also do not know the total amount we need to pay; they are just debiting it.
Could someone please advise us on what we should do?
May 6, 2025
20
Is accrued annual leave paid if the employee is terminated during probation? 0
Hello,
I want to confirm: if an employee is terminated during the probation period, does the employer have to pay them their accrued annual leave, even if it's during the probation period?
Or is the employee only eligible for leave payment after the probation period?
Thanks!
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Can I sue overseas app developers for misconduct and website deletion? 0
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I want to create a legal case against my mobile app developers who sabotaged my business and mobile apps, failed to deliver a good product, and, despite that, had the audacity to ask for a bonus.
When I refused, they deleted my websites twice (two different projects and sites, with months between each incident). I want to pursue legal action with someone experienced in technology-related cases. The developers are freelancers hired via an online marketplace for freelancers (Upwork).
Everything is legally documented, including WhatsApp messages clearly showing evidence of their sabotage, as well as some logs from GoDaddy related to the web and app development.
Thank you!
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How can a helper transfer from a private employer to an agency after 6 months? 0
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Would she need to pay back any visa costs?
Legal advice would be much appreciated.
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Who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer? 0
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I sent the landlord a notice to renew the lease 90 days earlier as per the contract. Can I change my mind if he didn't respond? 0
I live in Dubai and I have a one-year rental contract with my landlord. According to the agreement, I must tell the landlord at least 90 days before the contract ends whether I want to renew it or leave.
I followed the rule and sent them an email before the 90-day deadline, saying that I want to renew. They replied and said okay, and they asked me to send the new contract so they could sign it.
I prepared the new contract (with the rent price fixed according to RERA rules) and sent it to them about two weeks ago. But since then, they haven’t replied or signed the contract.
I think maybe they are waiting to see if someone else will offer more money to rent the apartment, so they are delaying their response.
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My wife got her maternity leave after she gave birth prematurely. Can her company pay her only half a salary? 0
My wife was pregnant and gave birth in the first week of her seventh month.
The company she works for refused to give her leave when she requested it before giving birth, claiming that work required it and that she was still in her sixth month.
Now the company she works for is refusing to pay her full salary and is offering to pay only half her salary.
Do they have the right to do this?
What are my wife's rights with the company she works for, and how can we demand them?
May 5, 2025
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What can a UAE local woman do if she wants to get married but her father refuses? 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
I want to get married, but my father is refusing.
I am a UAE local.
Apr 21, 2025
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