A new real estate law amendment is to be introduced in Dubai to clarify what happens when a property buyers defaults on payments.
At present Article 11, Law 13, states that if a buyer defaults on a sales contract the developer can cancel the contract and return the buyer’s money minus 30%. But there has been confusion over whether the law applies to 30% of the money paid to date or 30% of the total amount due.
The Dubai Land Department is expected to release an amended Article 11 this month introducing new provisions for the cancellation of contracts. ‘We will release an amendment to Article 11 in the coming weeks. It is something good for the market as it is more comprehensive and detailed,’ said the department’s Director General, Sultan Butti bin Mejren.
‘The revised article will set new grades for properties and developers. It will be more than the 30-70 rule which is now applicable,’ he added.
All real estate laws in Dubai are in favour of the developer.
This has caused lack of confidence in the Dubai real estate market especially when dealing with Semi Government developers.
Now that the price of raw materials and labour has gone down considerably, the Semi government developers should pass on discounts in prices to buyers in order to regain lost confidence when dealing with them.