Been scammed by a realtor? Here's what to do - News | Khaleej Times

Would you like to consult whether a realtor has cheated you? If so, you can contact Rera.

It is the responsibility of tenants to check whether a new property is vacant before making a payment. I am a foreigner who wanted to move from a studio to a studio apartment. We made a deal through a realtor and signed a lease.

On the day we were to move into our new apartment, we were surprised to find another tenant in the same apartment. I contacted the realtor, but his phone was turned off and I received a message from the bank that the check had been cashed. Unfortunately, we do not have a copy of the contract as the realtor took it away with the promise to return it after the owner's signature.

We''immediately went to the nearest police department. We were told that we should first go to the Dubai court (public prosecution). We did exactly that and opened a case. For three months we tried to register our case, but the investigator kept asking us to wait. Every time I came to check, he told me, "Come back next week," "The agent is not responding," "He is out of the country," "Wait some more," and so on...

When I asked to cancel my other checks, he asked me to wait and keep a low balance in my account as the check would bounce and they would find the person if a complaint became known. The agent is from Pakistan and has already left the country.

Please give me'. 'advice.

Based on your questions, we can assume that the disputed apartment is in Dubai.

It is the responsibility of the tenant to check the new premises for freedom before paying a deposit or handing over payments to the owner or estate agent. It sounds like you have not inspected the apartment. You should have done some preliminary work such as inspecting the apartment and meeting with the owner before issuing checks. In addition, you should have asked the realtor to provide you with a copy of the power of attorney from the owner in favor of the realtor to rent the premises and collect checks.

The activities of realtors fall under the jurisdiction of the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (Rera). In case of any inconvenience caused by a real estate agent''to the tenant or owner, the aggrieved party has the right to go to Rera and file a complaint against the agent. In your case, the realtor has misled and deceived you. Article 21 of Regulation No. 85 of 2006 governing the register of realtors in the Emirate of Dubai (the "Realtors Law") states, "A realtor shall be deemed to be a fiduciary for any sums, securities, bonds or other items given to him by a party for safekeeping or transfer to another party. The Realtor is obligated to deliver such items pursuant to the contract and will be subject to the appropriate fiduciary rules. The law also states, 'The realtor is liable for any loss or damage suffered by the parties to the contract as a result of his fraud, deceit or failure to comply with the relevant rules,''The check will be presented to your bank account for cashing.

KNOW THE LAW: The Realtor will be liable for any loss or damage suffered by the parties to the contract as a result of his fraud, deceit or failure to comply with the relevant rules.