Can we contest the non-renewal notice and claim renovation compensation?

Hello,

Yes, it is possible for a lease to end without renewal, but the specifics depend on the terms of your lease agreement and local laws.

Your lease agreement should specify how much advance notice is required to inform you of non-renewal. Typically, this could be anywhere from 30 to 180 days before the lease expires.

Here, in this case, you’ve invested significantly in fit-out works, and you can request a refund of your initial payment and compensation for the fit-out costs.

Claim compensation for the fit-out work completed. This includes costs for labor, materials, and any subcontractor fees.

If you hire an architect or designer, we can also include these fees in your claim.

Prepare a detailed, itemized list of your fit-out costs and any additional expenses incurred due to the non-renewal.

For further assistance, kindly share your WhatsApp number.

Dear Questioner,

Thanks for your inquiry!

According to UAE law, landlords have the right to terminate a lease agreement with a tenant at the end of the agreed-upon term.

In this case, it seems that the landlord has given you a non-renewal notice for next year. This means that you will have to vacate the premises at the end of your current lease term.

As for your fit-out works, it is important to note that any renovations or improvements made to the property are the responsibility of the tenant and not the landlord.

Therefore, you may not be entitled to a refund for your first payment or for the fit-out construction.

However, if you have incurred any losses or damages due to the delay in the landlord's decision to not renew the lease, you may be able to claim compensation for those losses. This would need to be negotiated with the landlord and may require legal assistance.

It is not possible to refuse the non-renewal notice as it is within the landlord's rights to terminate the lease at the end of the agreed-upon term.

Your best course of action would be to negotiate with the landlord for any compensation for your losses and to ensure that you vacate the premises by the end of your lease term.

It is recommended that you seek legal advice to fully understand your rights and options in this situation. Please do not hesitate to contact us via email or phone for further guidance.

Greetings,

Dear Questioner,

(1) If the property is in Dubai, according to Dubai's rental law, the landlord does not have the right to evict the tenant or refuse to renew the contract without a legal notice of eviction with a 12-month notice period.

However, if you have officially informed them that you will vacate the property, then you are obligated to do so.

(2) Compensation matters come after understanding the situation regarding point (1).

Thank you for reaching out and explaining your situation regarding the shell and core office fit-out!

I understand how frustrating it must be to invest so much time and effort into renovations only to face the prospect of moving out after a year.

In terms of your legal options, you may have the right to claim damages for the loss of time, effort, and financial investment in the fit-out.

This could include recovering part of the fit-out costs, rent paid, and potentially compensation for disruption to your business activities.

The specifics would depend on the terms of your lease agreement and the communications with the property management.

Regarding the non-renewal notice, you may be able to negotiate or challenge it depending on the terms of your tenancy contract and local tenancy laws in Dubai.

There may be clauses that protect your right to renew or receive compensation if the termination isn't justified.

I would be happy to go over the details of your lease and guide you on the best way forward.

Please feel free to reach out to me on WhatsApp or call me directly at [--------]. You can also email me at [--------] so we can discuss your rights and next steps further.

Looking forward to helping you resolve this matter.

Best regards,

Suhail Rana

Dear Inquirer,

In the UAE, when dealing with a non-renewal notice and a property management issue, you should consider the following:

- Lease Agreement Review:

First, check the terms of your lease agreement. It should outline the conditions for renewal and termination. If the property management's non-renewal notice is in accordance with the contract, it might be difficult to contest.

- Request for Refund:

You can request a refund for the first payment and the fit-out costs if the property management's decision is unjust and if you have evidence that the property management’s actions or delays have caused financial loss. This typically requires documenting all expenses and losses incurred.

- Damages for Time and Effort:

It can be challenging to claim damages for time and effort unless explicitly stated in the lease agreement or if there was a breach of contract. Generally, landlords are not liable for the cost of fit-out unless explicitly stated in the lease.

It is best to have a lawyer present to prevent any risks that may occur.

If you need further clarification, you can contact us.