House Agent refusing to refund my deposit
I came accross an ad on qatar living for a house. I expressed my interest in the house, and the agent explained that the house would be ready for occupancy in July, but in order to reserve/book it i would have to pay a deposit. I paid the deposit on Thursday evening 23rd June.
2 days later, i changed my mind as later the gent informed me of additional costs which had not been mentioned before. I informed the agent i was not going to move to the house and that they should refund my money.
Now the agent has refused to refund my deposit - the house is not ready for occupation, and we are not yet in July. In addition other than the deposit, i did not sign any contract.
What should i do?
The whole point of paying a deposit to reserve something is so that you are committed to the agreement. If you change your mind then their would be a financial penalty. I'm sure understood that before you agreed to pay him.
May I ask.. what were the additional costs that were not mentioned earlier??
Hopefully your agent was working for an actual real estate company? If so, approach his superiors. If he was an individual not connected to a company, then I'm afraid your only recourse is to go to the police with whatever details you have on him. Hopefully you have a receipt??
If it's a company, name and shame please for others. If it's not, then hopefully a lesson to all, to use reputable agents!!!!
Go and report him to the Police. But I recommend that you give him a notification about this before you act. the Deposit is a legal act according to the Qatar Law, however there are rules for this. The first thing that is in your favour is that when you paid the deposit, you were not aware of what you called "additional costs". good luck
Report him to the police as LP said and also make a mention of his illegal activities there. Before that call him up and say you are on the way to Capital security and ask him to meet you there.
Go to the police if you have a receipt.