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How long does it take to get security deposit back from landlord?!

Kylie281011631

318

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 11:02

Greetings from afar ladies. I have returned to Australia (yay!) but my hubby is still in Dubai tying up loose ends, including awaiting the security deposit refund from landlord, and other refunds such as car insurance. Naturally, we are being stuffed around by slow and incompetent people. Why am I not surprised? It specifies under the rental laws of Dubai that landlord is to return the deposit after vacating however it doesn't give a timeframe. Does anyone know what the standard timeframe is? We vacated over 3 weeks ago, 3 months notice given, all rent paid, no damage, final bills submitted and inspection carried out which landlord was happy with, they are just stuffing about in producing the cheque. Dh cannot book a flight home until he receives all cash owed to us and this ridiculous waiting is giving me the s&**ts! I think waiting longer than 3 weeks is unreasonable, but hey, this is Dubai. Yours thoughts and experiences appreciated, thanks all x

Green-ish

2340

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 13 September 2011 - 07:29

I left Dubai recently and when I asked the Manager of the building when I'd get my deposit back, he said 3 days after vacating, as they had to check the empty apartment for any damage and then he would have to get the LL to sign the cheque. I had read all the posts on EW saying that you had to get the deposit back when you handed the keys back, but the Manager wouldn't budge on this. So, as I knew I had to leave Dubai on a certain day, I went down to RERA and had a word with one of the guys there who gave me his personal number in case the Manager didn't comply. I then went to the Manager and asked him to sign a letter saying that he would return the dep within the 3 days specified - he did so. I casually mentioned to him that I'd also sought advice from RERA, just in case the deposit was delayed. I got the deposit back in 3 days and left Dubai as planned, after spending a few nights in a hotel. Can you not go down to RERA and ask one of the guys there to call your LL to speed things up?, as the guy I spoke to said that you really should get the deposit back when you hand the keys back (or in a pre-agreed reasonable time frame). Good luck! Excellent that it worked for you. :) We also had a tight timeline and sought RERA advice, and caved to DSOA's insistence on handing the keys over. We have their commitment in writing to return the deposit, but as we had to leave the country, they have gotten away with it. If doing it again, I would never hand keys over without getting the money on the spot. RERA is supportive of this. There is no reason why the end-of-tenancy inspection can't happen two minutes after the moving vans empty the villa. If the LL or agent has the cheque or cash ready, all can be sorted before you leave the premises. :)

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chizz2251

789

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 15:09

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picease27665

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 12:29

Dont accept a cheque, make sure you get cash in hand. Ask them to go to a bank or atm machine before hand over of the keys then there is no excuses.

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kelly18141664

2362

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 12:27

agreed - my last landlady was lovely, she came to inspect the appt, i gave her the keys, she handed me the cheque. simple as. i do know that this is unusually lucky!

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Green-ish

2340

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 11:44

On handing back the last bills and keys u should have received the cheque back....I have never given back keys etc without getting my deposit back, as it's too risky. Your dh needs to meet with him and demand it back now. Good luck. I second that. The private LL's we had both handed the deposit back when we gave them the keys. DSOA got the keys first and still has not given our deposit back, one year later! <em>edited by Green-ish on 12/09/2011</em>

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