I have been out of work for three months due to Covid-19. I have asked my landlord, which is a company, to postpone cashing my quarterly cheque of Dh15,000, as I simply don’t have the income to pay it. I haven’t lost my job; I just haven't been working as a musician because of the movement restrictions.
The landlord says there is nothing they can do because the cheque is already with the bank and I have to give 30-days' notice to withdraw it. I am in panic mode now as I know I won't have the money this month to pay the next quarter. I will start work again next month and can pay it then, but for now I can only afford to pay on a monthly basis only. I'm afraid I'll be arrested or blacklisted if the cheque bounces. What options do I have? KS, Dubai
This pandemic has brought a lot of hardship for everyone, not least those who are renting. However, I do suggest that the best way to try to find a solution is to maintain good communication with the landlord.
When the landlord is a company, the process of agreement can take longer or indeed not happen at all, for fear of perhaps setting an unwanted precedent on the part of the landlord. This, coupled with the fact that the tenant may not be speaking directly to the landlord, only a representative, could also cloud issues in communication.
When the landlord is an individual, normally the tenant is speaking directly to him/her so it’s more likely to get the point across and have a greater chance of success.
With reference to the rental cheque, once the bank has it in its possession, it is hard to cancel it and of course you need to have a good reason.
Given that you are starting to earn again and have confirmed that you are not requesting a rent waiver, just a deferment, I really do not understand why any landlord would not go for that. Offering to pay in instalments is a solution that – while not ideal – shows willing on your part.
However, there is no reason to panic unnecessarily because if the cheque already lodged with the bank does indeed bounce, as might be the case, the scenarios are not as severe as before.
Firstly, the law changed in 2017 therefore bouncing a cheque in Dubai below Dh200,000 is no longer a criminal offence but it will attract a fine.
Any cheque up to Dh50,000 will attract a fine of Dh2,000; from Dh50,000 to Dh100,000, the fine is Dh5,000 and between Dh100,000 to Dh200,000, the fine is Dh10,000.
A bounced cheque can damage your credit score and affect you securing credit in the future. Fines will only apply if the landlord goes on to file a case with the police, who will obviously then investigate.
However, as stated before, I believe good clear communication with the landlord is the key. Set up a meeting to explain you will pay in instalments and will be able to get back on your feet in a few months. If the cheque cannot be recalled from the bank and the landlord knows it will bounce, hopefully the landlord will just accept this.
Time is running out but it seems to me that what you require is an arbitrator to get your point across to the landlord. You could speak to the Rental Dispute Settlement Committee to see what advice they could give but my experience tells me that they always initially request that both landlord and tenant try to sort out the differences mutually and amicably. Hopefully reason will prevail and you will get to speak to the right person at the management facilities company, who in turn can get directly in touch with the decision maker.
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
Company name: Play:Date
Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
Stage of funding: Seed
Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund
Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
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Company Profile
Company name: NutriCal
Started: 2019
Founder: Soniya Ashar
Based: Dubai
Industry: Food Technology
Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount
Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia
Total Clients: Over 50
HOW DO SIM CARD SCAMS WORK?
Sim swap frauds are a form of identity theft.
They involve criminals conning mobile phone operators into issuing them with replacement Sim cards, often by claiming their phone has been lost or stolen
They use the victim's personal details - obtained through criminal methods - to convince such companies of their identity.
The criminal can then access any online service that requires security codes to be sent to a user's mobile phone, such as banking services.
How to increase your savings
- Have a plan for your savings.
- Decide on your emergency fund target and once that's achieved, assign your savings to another financial goal such as saving for a house or investing for retirement.
- Decide on a financial goal that is important to you and put your savings to work for you.
- It's important to have a purpose for your savings as it helps to keep you motivated to continue while also reducing the temptation to spend your savings.
- Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Things Heard & Seen
Directed by: Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton
2/5
MEYDAN CARD
6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m
8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m
10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m
10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
The National selections:
6.30pm AF Alwajel
7.05pm Ekhtiyaar
7.40pm First View
8.15pm Benbatl
8.50pm Zakouski
9.25pm: Kimbear
10pm: Chasing Dreams
10.35pm: Good Fortune
How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.
Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.
Parents should watch out for behavioural changes in their children.
When children are being bullied they they may be feel embarrassed and isolated, so parents should watch out for signs of signs of depression and anxiety
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Ain Dubai in numbers
126: The length in metres of the legs supporting the structure
1 football pitch: The length of each permanent spoke is longer than a professional soccer pitch
16 A380 Airbuses: The equivalent weight of the wheel rim.
9,000 tonnes: The amount of steel used to construct the project.
5 tonnes: The weight of each permanent spoke that is holding the wheel rim in place
192: The amount of cable wires used to create the wheel. They measure a distance of 2,4000km in total, the equivalent of the distance between Dubai and Cairo.
