Q: Dear Madam/Sir, We live in Dubai. My landlord is trying to increase my rent outside the RERA index, based on a DLD valuation, which he still hasn't received (for 2 months). 1. 90 days before the renewal of my lease, the landlord offered me a new lease with a 20% increase in my current rent, with these words: "Please be advised of a rent increase of 20% based on rental evaluation report which is under process and in line with RERA rules and regulation." 2. I contested this offer by communicating the result of the RERA rent index, indicating that the maximum percentage increase is 5%. 3. The landlord insisted, saying that the 20% increase would indeed be effective and that he would communicate the rental evaluation to us shortly. 4. Now, we still don't have the evaluation report, 2 months after his e-mail requesting a 20% rent increase. Can the landlord legally increase our rent without even waiting for the evaluation report and without respecting the RERA rules? Thank you!

Q: Hello, I hope you can advise me, please! I'm a tenant in Dubai. The owner/agency didn't send me the rent increase notice 90 days in advance. It was sent to me on Thu, 18 Apr, 22:16. My lease expires on June 24, 2024. So it's 78 days instead of 90. But they claim that in the signed contract there is a statement: "In the event that the tenant wishes to renew the lease at the end of the tenancy, they should notify the landlord in writing 90 days prior to the expiry date of the rental contract." Since I didn't do this, they demand to increase my rent by the maximum amount possible as per RERA. As far as I can understand, according to the law, if no one notifies anyone before 90 days, the default is to extend the lease. So there is no increase. What is more important according to law, the signed contract, or UAE laws in this case? Thank you very much, hope you can advise and help me!

Q: Dear Lawyers, Can a landlord in Ras Al Khaimah increase the rent after just one year?

Q: Dear Lawyers, The rental company didn’t notify me within 90 days about the 15% increase. Now, they are stating that I must either pay the increase or move out of the property. The agreement is due to end on 01/10/2024. What options do I have under Dubai law to negotiate this situation?

Q: Dear Lawyers, I'm confused and seeking clarification, please! Every year, the landlord either doesn't send the renewal notice at all or sends it without specifying the exact amount of the increase, only mentioning that it will be as per RERA market value. Am I not legally supposed to be informed of the exact amount (total or percentage) of any increase 90 days before the contract's due date?

Q: Dear Lawyers, I have a tenancy contract in Ras Al Khaimah, expiring on January 1, 2025. This is my first year of tenancy with this particular landlord, and I intend to renew for a second year. The landlord contacted me, requesting confirmation on whether I plan to renew the tenancy or vacate, and they quoted a new rent 12% higher than the rent in the first year. The renewal terms and rates are not explicitly mentioned in the tenancy contract or the addendum. I understand that it is illegal to increase rent by more than 10%, but surprisingly, RAK RERA could not comment on this and failed to confirm which laws and regulations I could refer to. I am familiar with the renewal and rental dispute process via Dubai RERA, which is straightforward, but I am unaware of the process in Ras Al Khaimah. Could you advise on the correct and fair renewal process? Thanks!

Q: Dear Lawyers, I did not receive an Ejari from my previous landlord. The new landlord has sent me an email requesting that I vacate immediately without notice or pay rent according to the current market rate. What are my options in this case?

Q: Hello, How much notice must a landlord give before increasing the rent?

Q: Hello, Is a landlord required to provide written notice for rent increases? If so, how many days in advance must it be given in Dubai?

مقال في صورة مقابلة يتناول موضوع العقارات السكنية المُباعة بالتجزئة فيما يتعلق بالمسؤولية عن صيانة الممتلكات العقارية وتداعيات التخلُّف عن سداد الإيجار في الإمارات العربية المتحدة. مقتبس من المدونة الصوتية القانونية للمحامية لودميلا يامالوفا، مؤسسة مشروع لوجيكال مع لايلو.

The provisions of this Law apply to real property leased out in the Emirate of Dubai, including vacant and agricultural lands, but excluding hotel establishments and real property provided by natural or legal persons as accommodation to their employees at no charge.

Provisions of this Law supersede articles (2), (3), (4), (9), (13), (14), (15), (25), (26), (29), and (36) of Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai. 

This Decree determines the maximum percentage of rent increase for real property in the Emirate of Dubai when renewing lease contracts.