I purchased an off-plan apartment in Dubai in 2015 and the developer promised a completion date of 2019.
However, the developer has yet to complete the project. I have suffered financially since I already paid 70 per cent of the property price as per the sales and purchase agreement, while the balance of 30 per cent is due on handover.
How can I get compensation from the developer and what is the best way forward? SI, Dubai
Despite the fact that developers have a permissible buffer of a 12-month delay on their projects, further delays often take place due to all sorts of reasons.
Considering this, it is likely that with the allowed delay of 12 months, this particular project most probably found itself in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Although I am not defending or making excuses for the developer, it is possible that they found themselves in this situation because of past events, which translated into the delay you currently face.
My advice is to try to communicate directly with the developer as much as possible to see if an agreement can be reached.
However, if you are not satisfied with the compensation that may be offered or the lack of any, then your only other option would be to file a case in court.
You should think about this very carefully because taking a large developer to court is not an easy task and will take time, money and a great deal of effort. The outcome is also not known, so it is a game of chance.
My landlord served us with an eviction notice in December 2021. He sold the house to a new owner in August 2022.
We checked with two real estate brokers and a lawyer at the Rent Dispute Settlement Committee (RDSC), who confirmed that the new owner needs to give us a separate 12-month eviction notice. This is because the purpose of the previous notice was to sell the house and this is now done.
I have been told that this scenario is quite commonplace in the real estate industry now. Have you seen similar cases? JO, Dubai
This scenario is definitely playing out in the market, but we cannot guarantee the outcome.
It is true that if a tenant files a case at the RDSC when they do not wish to vacate property, it has been shown in the past that some judges have requested the new buyer to send their own 12-month eviction notice.
I suggest you wait until December and if the new buyer still expects you to move out at the termination of the first 12-month notice, you could file a case at the RDSC.
Explain why you wish to renew your lease and hope that the judge rules in your favour and requests the new buyer to send you a separate 12-month notice.
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My apartment in Abu Dhabi is rented out but my tenant has not paid the rent for more than 40 days.
He ignores my request via email to make the rent payment. I even sent him a notarised letter, but to no avail.
I am currently based abroad. Do I need a power of attorney if I wish to file a case in court to collect my rent? GC, Abu Dhabi
As you are currently in another country, I suggest you organise a power of attorney to act on your behalf and help you to file a legal case against your tenant. This will also help you overcome any complications or technical requirements if you file a case.
This way, you will be assured of concluding the process without any possible delays from your side.
Mario Volpi is the sales and leasing manager at Engel & Volkers. He has worked in the property sector for more than 35 years, in London and Dubai. The opinions expressed do not constitute legal advice and are provided for information only. Please send any questions to mario.volpi@engelvoelkers.com
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
Confederations Cup Group B
Germany v Chile
Kick-off: Thursday, 10pm (UAE)
Where: Kazan Arena, Kazan
Watch live: Abu Dhabi Sports HD
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
The years Ramadan fell in May
Zayed Sustainability Prize
More on animal trafficking
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
HOW TO WATCH
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Fixtures
Opening day Premier League fixtures for August 9-11
August 9
Liverpool v Norwich 11pm
August 10
West Ham v Man City 3.30pm
Bournemouth v Sheffield Utd 6pm
Burnley v Southampton 6pm
C Palace v Everton 6pm
Leicester v Wolves 6pm
Watford v Brighton 6pm
Tottenham v Aston Villa 8.30pm
August 11
Newcastle v Arsenal 5pm
Man United v Chelsea 7.30pm
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
