It is pretty standard practice unfortunately, happened to me in Oman as well. The trick is to get it tennanted yourself (get someone to take on the lease) and they normally come to the party. If it is in a popular area and will rent quickly you can take it to the tribunal and get the difference returned.
Unfortuanately in all the Arab states I have ventured to or considered venturing to this is commonplace, right up there with getting a car loan and hand writing out 48 cheques or more for each monthly payment...hmmm of course the electronic age has only arrived at Internet City it seems!!!!!
