Ok ..everyone sorry to harp on this point however if your not buying directly from one of the major 3 or 4 developers( nakheel,Dubai Properties,Emaar...) here in Dubai do your self a huge favor and use a competent property lawyer to avoid future hassles.


Adrian, did your contract of sale mention anything about administration fee? If not then you have the Law on your side and the agency is not entitled to ask for any additional fees.

There is a thread with a theme of name and shame here
Where you can place further information for others to read.

Still get the run around and want to do something about it which will not cost you much money...then read below

You may encounter some "huffing and puffing" where the Agency say they will hold hand over or take legal action, ....however if the contract did not mention administration fees then tell them to go jump, take your contract to one of the many local typing shops have it translated into Arabic, go to the court have the document stamped as an original copy in Arabic take your passport along ( copy not necessary however lends more credibility if stamped), then take the documents to the Police Station and open a police case for fraud. The agent will then be asked by the Police to come down to the station and explain their side of the story, if they refuse to come down they will be thrown in jail.

You could also use a competent lawyer however the above will cost you very little money, and is straight forward. There is also the Department of Lands, RERA and Nakheel .

Look at the this thread here for charges am making it a sticky thread for a while so its at the top of the web board for people to check out.

Adrain can you keep us updated as your experience may help others out that are in a similar position