I recently purchased a rented apartment in Abu Dhabi and agreed to honor the existing lease. After the transfer, I discovered that the lease is not a Tawtheeq contract, meaning it is not officially registered. Since I am not receiving rent (as it was a non-refundable arrangement with the seller), I prefer not to issue a new Tawtheeq. I also want to avoid a formal notice to vacate to prevent disputes, as I plan to move in. However, I have already informed the tenant that I will not be renewing the lease. I need legal advice on the implications of proceeding without a Tawtheeq contract. What are my risks, especially if the tenant refuses to move out? What legal actions, if any, can the tenant take in this situation?

Hello, I recently found an apartment for rent and agreed with the agent to make payments in three installments. I provided the agent with post-dated checks for the second and third payments and planned to transfer the first payment, deposit, and agency fee to the agent’s account once the lease agreement was finalized. However, the lease agreement has not been finalized yet, and I have since found a better place. Since I have not signed any lease agreement, should I be concerned about the landlord cashing the checks for the second and third payments? Is it legal? Additionally, the agent requested an extra 2,000 dirhams beyond the amount he intended to include in the lease agreement.

Hello Sir, I am facing an issue with my employer. I work in the private sector in the UAE, and my employment visa expires in June 2025. After two years, I traveled to my home country for vacation, and one week after my arrival, the company sent me an email terminating my employment due to performance issues. However, I was never given any prior warning or written notice. The termination email also did not mention any notice period or other details. I would like to know my rights and what I should do in this situation.

Hello, My landlord issued an eviction notice stating an intention to sell. He has since sold the property before the eviction date, and now the new owner intends to use the old notice to evict me and re-rent the apartment at a higher rate. Is this allowed?

I hired an agency to close my free zone company in October last year and paid them already. However, I have now been informed by the FDA that the company has not been closed, and I am required to upload a renewed license (which I do not have), otherwise, I will face a penalty. The agency I hired is not responding to my messages. What can I do?

Hello, My landlord issued an eviction notice stating an intention to sell. He has since sold the property before the eviction date, and now the new owner intends to use the old notice to evict me and re-rent the apartment at a higher rate. Is this allowed?

Good morning. My tenant was supposed to vacate the property on 15th April 2025 as per the contract. Now he is not answering the phone, and the property is still in use. Please guide the way forward. I have already rented the property to a new tenant.

The bank filed a case against me using security cheques and executed a travel ban from Dubai Courts.

I would like to know how to clear my police record due to a legal case that was closed 1 year ago. I need to clear it in order to be able to get a job position.

Hello, My friend has just come back from traveling to find his storage space burnt down in Dubai. He is a photographer and musician with high-value items. Everything has been burnt down. What does he do now?

Hello, How can I be exempted from paying the 5% court fee, and where should I go to apply?

Hello, Our customer has gone into liquidation, and we are shipping goods to Saudi Arabia. We have stopped the shipment and requested payment of their outstanding balance. How can we request to take ownership of their goods to sell in order to recover our outstanding invoices? Is this possible in Dubai Courts?

Hello, I bought an apartment, but the previous landlord is refusing to vacate it. The contract clearly states that the landlord should hand over the apartment on the day of the transfer. Out of courtesy, I gave him three days to vacate so he could find a new place to stay, but the time has passed, and he is still refusing to vacate and hand it over. What should I do in this case?

Hello, What happens if a person does not show up at the first instance of a divorce hearing?

Hello. I went to a very well-known and professional salon (or so I thought) for a normal hair dye. The guy who did my hair left the dye on my hair for over an hour when it was supposed to be on for a maximum of 30 minutes. He wasn’t paying attention to me walking around the store talking to everyone and also doing another customer's extensions. Now my hair is potentially damaged, my skull burns, and is flaky (meaning the dye wasn’t ammonia-free which is extremely unprofessional for such an expensive salon). I didn’t even get the outcome that I wanted and the dye color doesn’t even show. I talked to him about it but he shut it down so fast and gaslit me the whole time and made me feel like I was the wrong one and I was ‘complaining about something so light’. Please let me know what I can do legally about this. Thank you.

I recently purchased a rented apartment in Abu Dhabi and agreed to honor the existing lease. After the transfer, I discovered that the lease is not a Tawtheeq contract, meaning it is not officially registered. Since I am not receiving rent (as it was a non-refundable arrangement with the seller), I prefer not to issue a new Tawtheeq. I also want to avoid a formal notice to vacate to prevent disputes, as I plan to move in. However, I have already informed the tenant that I will not be renewing the lease. I need legal advice on the implications of proceeding without a Tawtheeq contract. What are my risks, especially if the tenant refuses to move out? What legal actions, if any, can the tenant take in this situation?

Hello, My landlord issued an eviction notice stating an intention to sell. He has since sold the property before the eviction date, and now the new owner intends to use the old notice to evict me and re-rent the apartment at a higher rate. Is this allowed?

Hello, I have a criminal case for fighting, and it is now in prosecution. The decision shows “a temporary matter” as both parties are accused. What does it mean? I have not received a call from the prosecution yet.

Hello, My rent cheque was bounced, and my landlord filed a case against me in Sharjah Court. I received a fine of 2,000 AED, which was later reduced to 1,000 AED upon appeal. Does this case count as a criminal conviction under UAE law, or was it handled as a civil matter? If I apply for a U.S. visa, will I need to submit court records under the requirement for applicants with past convictions?

A bank has filed an execution cheques case through the Dubai Courts due to nonpayment of a personal loan and credit card. Is a travel ban automatically applied? I looked on the Dubai Courts website, and it says the judge has issued a “reserved” order for my case. Furthermore, when the bank emails, they threaten me with a travel ban. So I am assuming there is no travel ban issued (but I don’t know). I haven’t received any notice of a travel ban. If there is a travel ban, how do I find out? I have checked the Dubai police app, and there are no financial crimes against me. Please advise if you know.

I recently purchased a rented apartment in Abu Dhabi and agreed to honor the existing lease. After the transfer, I discovered that the lease is not a Tawtheeq contract, meaning it is not officially registered. Since I am not receiving rent (as it was a non-refundable arrangement with the seller), I prefer not to issue a new Tawtheeq. I also want to avoid a formal notice to vacate to prevent disputes, as I plan to move in. However, I have already informed the tenant that I will not be renewing the lease. I need legal advice on the implications of proceeding without a Tawtheeq contract. What are my risks, especially if the tenant refuses to move out? What legal actions, if any, can the tenant take in this situation?

Hello Sir, I am facing an issue with my employer. I work in the private sector in the UAE, and my employment visa expires in June 2025. After two years, I traveled to my home country for vacation, and one week after my arrival, the company sent me an email terminating my employment due to performance issues. However, I was never given any prior warning or written notice. The termination email also did not mention any notice period or other details. I would like to know my rights and what I should do in this situation.

Hello, I recently found an apartment for rent and agreed with the agent to make payments in three installments. I provided the agent with post-dated checks for the second and third payments and planned to transfer the first payment, deposit, and agency fee to the agent’s account once the lease agreement was finalized. However, the lease agreement has not been finalized yet, and I have since found a better place. Since I have not signed any lease agreement, should I be concerned about the landlord cashing the checks for the second and third payments? Is it legal? Additionally, the agent requested an extra 2,000 dirhams beyond the amount he intended to include in the lease agreement.

The bank filed a case against me using security cheques and executed a travel ban from Dubai Courts.

Hi, My friend has been taken by the Narcotics Department for the consumption and possession of some substance in Dubai. How can we find out what the next procedure will be, as his family back in India has no information about it and no idea where the police have taken him or what the next steps are in this issue?

Hello, Is it legal to reduce the salary after signing an employment contract?

I raised a cheque execution case against a company and its owner and won. There is a travel ban on him. I was receiving installments for three months and now he stopped paying. The court after request summoned him. In total, he paid only 30% of the owed money. I found that his company license is expired and also in the month his visa will expire. Does he have any option to avoid payment? Please note he was deceived by showing no money in his bank account and no assets in his name but he is running multiple businesses. Also a month ago, he tried to convince me to lift the travel ban but I refused to do so. But he submitted a guarantee and left UAE. Now the status shows he is back in the UAE and the travel ban imposed again. But after that, he stopped payment. Is there a 1% chance of him not paying me the remaining money? Is there a way he can leave the country through the Amnesty program or any of this sort?

Hello, In EMARATAX (The Federal Tax Authority), if someone has two licenses in different emirates for the same activity, does he need to register two taxable persons, or how should he proceed?

Hello, I purchased a one-bedroom off-plan unit in Dubai from a well-known developer under an SPA specifying an area of 801 sq. ft. I completed all payments as per the developer’s payment plan, and the unit was handed over to me without a Title Deed. After taking possession, furnishing the unit, signing a tenancy contract, and making repeated follow-ups to obtain my Title Deed, the developer informed me, 45 days after handover, that the actual area was 1,041.41 sq. ft., a 30% increase from the original SPA terms. To receive my Title Deed, they are now demanding payment for the increased size. Key issues: - Failure to notify me before handover about the 30% increase in area. - The SPA allows for price adjustments for area variations but specifies that such adjustments must be reflected in the final installment, which I had already fully paid before handover. - The developer has now filed a legal case through Dubai Courts, demanding payment. I require legal advice based on RERA/DLD laws and the SPA.

Hello, A client of mine used our consulting services online and is refusing to pay. Despite multiple reminders, she still has not made the payment. What legal action can I take against her?

Can the employer report absconding if an employee goes to their home country on leave but does not come back to UAE?

Dear Lawyers, I rented a studio on a monthly basis, and my rent included all utilities and bills, with a contract that isn’t Ejari. Now, the landlord has cut off the DEWA and is asking me to vacate the unit and take the rest of my rent three months before the contract expires. Is there any legal action I can take against him?

Dear Lawyers, Dubai Tenancy Question Addendum: 1. In case of not renewing the contract, the tenant shall inform the landlord 3 months prior. If the tenant fails to do so, they shall bear a penalty of 2 months' rent for not notifying the landlord. 2. Failure to execute the renewal (at the sole discretion of the landlord) shall result in the automatic termination of this agreement. 3. The landlord unequivocally objects to the tenant's continued occupation of the premises after the expiry of this agreement. An overstay fee shall apply from the day following the expiry of the term. The tenant’s continued occupation shall not result in the automatic renewal of this agreement. Questions: A. Does this addendum supersede the laws of the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA)? B. Does the contract automatically renew, or is it considered terminated as per the conditions of the addendum? C. How much should be paid to the landlord if the tenant vacates a week after the expiry of the contract?

Dear Lawyers, Can a husband renew only his 6-year-old child's visa and refuse to renew his wife's visa? What happens in that case?

Dear Lawyers, During the sale of the property, to whom is the security deposit returned? The tenant or the new owner?

Hi, I need some guidance regarding a property transaction that is not progressing as expected. My broker initiated a manual Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between me (the Buyer) and the Seller, with an expiry date of 01/02/2025. Within this period, I successfully arranged the bank mortgage, property evaluation, and NOC. However, the broker started giving excuses, such as the seller being hospitalized. Later, the broker attempted to arrange a Power of Attorney (POA). However, after that, they started ignoring my messages and calls. It now seems like they no longer intend to proceed with me, and the MOU has already expired. Meanwhile, my bank EMI has already started, and I have paid two monthly installments. The broker is still unresponsive. I have raised multiple complaints through DLD RVS against the broker, but the response has been very slow and unsatisfactory. I’m feeling stuck and financially burdened. Please advise

Hey, I'm building my house in Dubai, and it was going well. I gave the contractor 420k as a first payment, and we both agreed that the rest would be in installments. Just two months ago, the contractor went off the grid, and I can't find him. All I have is a security cheque that bounced back when I went to the bank, as the signature doesn't match what's in the file. However, I learnt that he does have money, but not the amount that's in the cheque. What should I do now to get my money back? I need advice.

Hello, I was an employee of a major group in the UAE. Now, they have transferred me to another entity within the same group in the UAE. What happens to the benefits and allowances agreed upon by the first entity? Please provide the legal details related to this matter, along with the relevant statutory provisions.

Hello, A client of mine used our consulting services online and is refusing to pay. Despite multiple reminders, she still has not made the payment. What legal action can I take against her?

Hello, A juvenile case has been withdrawn by a third party, but the prosecution doesn’t want to end it. The child is out on bail. Now the case has moved to court. What steps should be taken next, or how will they handle it?