Can I get my Deposit back
I found a Villa online here in Doha that I wanted to rent, I went to look at it there were 3 available at the time but I did not want to move in for 6 weeks. He told me out of the 3 the one I thought would not be ready for months would be ready in 1 month. I originally passed on the house but none of the other homes in my price range met what I was looking for in a home so I went back to the guy a week later. He stuck to his saying that the house would be ready on the 1st now 3 weeks later. I put down a partial deposit and went to view the progress on the house. Little had been done and I became worried. He was calling about paying the deposit in full. Feeling the pressure of not for filling my commitment I went to the office to pay and get assurance on what our agreement was. I told him and his secretary that if the house was not ready on the 1st in 3 weeks that I wanted have my money back, they both agreed. I then called my housing agent and asked when they could view the property, They asked the villa's company name and when I told them, they said they had an on going dispute with this housing company and I could not rent from them. I had them return the partial payment that was still on the table.I told them regardless to if the house was ready or not I could not rent from them and asked for the rest of my money to be returned. It is a week later and I get a run around story each time I get a text from them. I did not sign a lease, I have my deposit receipt from them. Who do I contact to assist with getting my money back? Do I have the right to get my money back?
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You are stuck in a difficult situation. The Real Estate Agent knows how to play around with you and how to make your suffer. Here are my suggestions that may cause problems for the estate agent and help you get your money back:
First, write a letter to Rental Dispute Committee explaining the whole matter and request them to help you get your money back. The letter must be in Arabic. Attach the copy of the receipt of payment. Possibly, they will help you out.
Secondly, lodge a written complaint with the police at the Central Police Station located at Crazy Signal. This letter must also be in Arabic. They have a department of investigation. There are police officers present at this station who speak English. They will call the estate agent and get him to refund your money. However, if the estate agent still refuses to do so or plays with time making promises after promises, the police will be left with little option but to advise you to file a case against the estate agent.
Third, lodge a case against the estate agent at the Sharia Court. This is going to be difficult process for you. That's because of several reasons and the people at the estate agent know this well. Should you file a case at the Sharia Court, you will need to to be present at the Court on every time a date for hearing is given. The estate agent will deliberately avoid the hearings giving one excuse or another. As such, it may take several months for the Court to give a verdict. During this period, you will be helpless. The estate agent knows this well. To lodge complaint, you may need the assistance of a lawyer. There are usually some of them hanging around the Sharia Court looking around for clients.
That's how the ball moves in Qatar. The majority of Real Estate Agents in Qatar are crooks and you will get to hear many stories about them.