Q: Hello, Recently, I am in contact with a real estate broker for a 2 BHK apartment. He showed me an apartment and he said there is an agency fee of 5% and a broker fee of 2500. I did not agree with it. He did ask for my documents which I have given but then I thought of reaching the landlord. The apartment display the real estate management company number of this building. I called them and they said they didn't appoint any broker nor did they retain. So, I booked the flat directly with the property management since they insisted to book through. Now, the broker is claiming that he needs his fee, if not, he will follow a legal approach. It's a small amount but the whole process to secure this apartment is done by myself, why should I pay? Is there any rule as show fee?

Q: A commission agreement between broker and seller was drafted and signed by the two parties in Dubai. The agreement states that the seller shall pay the broker a certain amount of commission after the sale transaction is done. How can the broker guarantee his right 100% in case the seller doesn’t pay? Shall the broker register the agreement with the notary public or the Ministry of Economy? Please take note that the location is Dubai.

Q: Hello Sir, I have a real estate in Dubai and have closed deals with the developers. They've kept my broker commission on hold since a year. What are my rights to claim it?

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.

Did you know that 225 establishments were fined approximately AED 77 million for flouting AML regulations? About, 50 entities’ operations and licenses were put on suspension in 2023-Q3 for failing to register in the goAML system. That’s alarming! Out of the said numbers, many were real estate brokerage firms.

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.

By virtue of this Law, a public corporation named the “Real Estate Regulatory Agency” is established in the Emirate of Dubai. It is affiliated to Dubai Land Department. The objective of RERA is to regulate the real estate sector in the Emirate.

The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.