Does anyone here know how to solve a dispute with a rogue developer in Abu Dhabi who promised an off-plan unit in YAS ISLAND called DIVA A, and who is now wanting to:

- Charge exagerated utility connection fees without showing proof of these bills, charging x 3 the amount of the standard charges

- Charge other unexplained fees, because it all adds up..

I calculated that this project with almost 750 units is trying to extort an extra 15k from every owner. That is over $3 million is illegal profit.

They get away with this because the scam is reasoned well: No owner is going to go to court just for 15,000 Dirham. The legal fees will be just as big and the handover will be delayed.

Furthemore, Reportage sent emails saying that they will allow inspections of the units once their alleged handover fees are paid and once the building service fee for the upcoming year is paid up. This means owners are expected to pay everything before inspection, which is very unusual since then Reportage can drag its feet to fix defects, and I hear there will be defects that need fixing like in every new building.

Please not write with something like 'You can report them" unless you can explain exactly where and how to report them, unless the entity is truly efficient. I heard from another owner that the government entity under ADREC did not even acknowledge the report. Maybe that is why developers like Reportage do what they do.

I know of one owner who wish to take them to court even if the fees are more than the claim, because she believes in principle above everything else. But is there a law firm that can do this fairly without being an opportunist?

I am sorry to say but all my impressions so far over the last five years is that in this magnificient city of Abu Dhabi things only happen when everyone is making money. Otherwise the principle of fairness, justice and principle is tested to its limits and you are at the mercy of luck and the occasional person who has the heart to do only what is right.

I am not a property expert. I have purchased two properties in Abu Dhabi — one off-plan from Reportage and one completed unit from Aldar — and my experience is therefore limited to those two transactions. However, I believe it is time for expats and potential buyers to have a clearer picture of the risks involved, particularly when dealing with off-plan developments.

My Experience with Aldar

I have little to report here, and that is a compliment. The property was complete at the time of purchase, the process was straightforward, and I found it fair and transparent. No complaints from my side but I am not saying there are no problems others did not experience.

My Experience with Reportage

This is where I have a great deal to say.

The Sales Process

I purchased an off-plan property from Reportage in what was presented as a prime location. The architectural model and marketing materials were impressive. The sales agents — none of whom were Emirati, for what it is worth — were aggressive in the way that most real estate agents tend to be, and I do not single them out for that alone. What I did object to was a consistent lack of transparency: a pattern of saying whatever was necessary to close the sale, leaving the buyer to verify the details independently afterwards.

The "Investor Purchase" Scheme — Read the Fine Print

Reportage offered what they call an Investor Purchase option. In simple terms, you buy the property but retain the right to walk away at completion and receive your capital back plus a 20% return instead of taking ownership of the unit. It was presented to me as: "You have nothing to lose — 20% in two years."

What they neglected to mention is this: the agreement states the building will be ready in three years, with a further grace period of one additional year. In practice, delivery is delayed beyond even that extended deadline, meaning you are realistically waiting close to five years before you see your money returned with the promised 20%. That translates to approximately 4% per year — not the 10% annually implied by the sales pitch.

I would also flag a specific page within the Investor agreement that, if signed, automatically converts your investor arrangement into a full property purchase — meaning you have exercised your option to own the unit rather than receive your return. Do not sign that page until and unless you have made a conscious decision to take ownership.

Unlicensed Sales Agents

At the time of my purchase, real estate agents working directly or indirectly for Reportage were not required to hold a licence. A visa was sufficient.( I am not sure if proper schooling is now required. ) This meant no mandatory training, no professional accountability, and no constraint on what could be said to a prospective buyer. The result is predictable: high-pressure tactics, urgency manufactured out of thin air ("another buyer is interested — you need to decide now"), and deposits collected before the buyer has had the opportunity to review the terms and conditions.

My strong advice: always request the full sales agreement before paying any deposit, particularly when dealing with a developer whose practices you cannot yet verify.

After the Sale

Once payment was made, communication from my sales agent became essentially non-existent — unless he calculated there was a prospect of selling me something further. In my case, he did stay in contact, but solely to inform me — and I am not exaggerating — that the apartment I had just purchased was not, in his words, a prestigious property, and that I should consider buying a second, more upmarket unit he was now promoting. This, despite having sold me the original apartment as a luxury development. The contradiction was as remarkable as the audacity.

More broadly, Reportage appeared chronically understaffed, or staff were carrying workloads that made consistent client communication impossible. I did encounter one or two individuals who performed their roles well, but the overall experience was disorganised and exhausting.

Financial Disputes at Handover

The sales agreement specified a fixed amount for utility connection fees. When the building was eventually completed, Reportage attempted to charge three times that amount — despite government connection fees having increased only marginally in the intervening period.

The agreement also contained a penalty clause obliging Reportage to compensate buyers for late delivery. When they announced completion, that clause was ignored entirely, as though it did not exist.

My impression is that the company routinely tests how much it can extract from buyers at each stage, apparently operating on the assumption that their customers are either sufficiently wealthy not to notice, or sufficiently motivated to close quickly that they will absorb the additional costs rather than fight them.

They are probably right on both counts — and that is precisely the problem.

Your Legal Options Are Limited

Engaging a local law firm is, in practical terms, difficult. Many firms will not respond to enquiries when the fees involved would likely exceed the damages sought. There are also — and I say this carefully as its mostly hearsay — persistent concerns about the proximity of certain firms to major developers.

That leaves two realistic options:

• File a complaint with the relevant Abu Dhabi authorities and hope the process is as efficient as their websites suggest. Given the likely volume of complaints in circulation, I am not confident it is.
• Treat the shortfall as a contingency from the outset and budget accordingly.

Practical Advice If You Buy from Reportage

1. Scrutinise the sales agreement carefully. Look for one-sided or ambiguous clauses before signing anything.
2. Add two years to any promised completion date, in addition to the contractual grace period.
3. Set aside USD 10,000–20,000 as a contingency for inflated handover fees and other unexpected charges at completion.
4. Do not assume the penalty clause for late delivery will be honoured. If you wish to pursue it, consider signing the handover documents under protest — in writing — and then filing a formal complaint with the authorities to test whether the system will act on your behalf.

A Final Word on the UAE

None of this should be read as a criticism of Abu Dhabi or the UAE as a place to live. On the contrary — I value it for its functionality, safety, and order, and I have no hesitation in saying it remains one of the most advanced and well-governed cities in the world for daily life. The current geopolitical tensions will pass, and I have no doubt the UAE will navigate them with the pragmatism it has consistently demonstrated.

The issue is specific: the real estate sector requires serious, sustained regulatory reform. A small number of developers are causing disproportionate reputational damage to a city that deserves better. Greed, if left unchecked, has a way of undermining even the strongest foundations — and Abu Dhabi's foundations are worth protecting.