Q: I was a resident of Sharjah and was staying in a 2 BHK apartment. As I was looking for a furnished apartment on rent for a short span of 6 months only, the landlord denied to make the agreement but verbally decided to accept the rent upfront each month and asked for 1-month rent as security. I objected to giving any security deposit but promised to pay rent at the beginning of each month and gave him a cheque with 1-month rent amount if I don’t make the payment at the beginning of the month but not a security deposit. Due to living with the family, I had to look for another option I moved to a new apartment before the new month started. Now, the landlord is asking for rent for the month in which I’m not going to stay and threatening me to deposit the cheque of AED 1,600/- and get the cheque bounced and take legal action to put me behind the bar. I have paid AED 1,000/- for utility in advance for which bill was generated as AED 640/- only. What are the legal ways to come out of this??

س: مرحبًا سيدة خان لدي حالة هنا، لقد استأجرت شقة وتم الاتفاق على دفع الإيجار عن طريق 6 أقساط. دفعت القسط الأول نقدًا، والباقي عن طريق شيكات بتاريخ مؤجل، بالإضافة إلى شيك ضمان. الموقف المثار الآن هو أن المالك لم يوقع العقد بسبب بعض القضايا الخاصة بالمبنى في المحكمة، ولم أستلم الشقة بالمخالفة لما تم وعدي به. هل يمكنني إلغاء الشيكات الخاصة بي مع احتمال اتخاذ أي إجراءات ضدي لأنني لم أتسلم الشقة كما هو متفق عليه، وهل يجب أن أقدم شكوى للشرطة؟ هل هناك أي إجراء أخر أحتاج إلى اتخاذه؟ شكرًا ( أ )

Q: We moved into a villa in August 2017 and we paid one cash cheque payment to the owner who is local, as he gave us a copy of his Emirates ID and contract. In December, our water was cut and was told by ADDC that the water has not been paid since August, which we all donated and paid for as we are about 7 tenants in the villa (Studio). On the 10th of this month, a legal notice came from the court showing First Gulf Properties that the landlord should appear in the court. He didn't show up to which. Yesterday, another same one was sent to him to appear today of which I doubt he did go because all his numbers are off. I need to know what's my right in this. NB: This property is in Abu Dhabi and I have a copy of the landlord's Emirates ID. I even took a picture of him and my husband with the agent, and a copy of the cheque I gave to him the day we signed the contract. Please advise me. Thank you very much as I wait for your swift advice.

س: مرحبًا، عمري 20 سنة ولست مقيمة في دولة الإمارات. أريد أن أستأجر محل في دبي للقيام بنشاط تجاري. كيف يمكنني البدء في هذه الخطوة؟ وهل يمكنني الحصول على الإقامة في دولة الإمارات أم لا؟

The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.