Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I have been a tenant of an industrial unit since 2017. In 2022, the landlord's real estate forced extra rent on me, and without much thought, I agreed to it. In 2023, they asked for another increase just one day before the tenancy expired. At that time, I filed with RDC and the tenancy was renewed. Later, the real estate sent me an email for non-renewal for the year 2024, but since it was not an official legal notice, I filed again with RDC and deposited the cheques. Now, the real estate wants to renew with a 10% increase in rent. I received the email 6 days prior to expiry, and I informed them about the law requiring a 90-day notice as per RERA. Yes, it is a challenge for me to fight for my rights, but I am not interested in giving the real estate an undue advantage in the case of renewal. RERA should look into the facilities and amenities that the property has before granting them rights to increase the rent as per the Index. Kindly guide me!

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!

س: هل يحق للمالك أن يطلب زيادة الإيجار بنسبة 10٪ قبل 15 يومًا فقط من تجديد العقد؟

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?

Q: Hello, Are landlords allowed to increase rent for residential property at the first annual renewal? My landlord is asking for a 10% increase. My contract renews on June 20, 2025, and the 90-day notice period ends on March 19, 2025. At present, the RERA index shows no increase for my apartment. They have also included the following language in their email requesting the rent increase: "Please be further advised that your rent will be reviewed and revised, subject to applicable laws and any amendments to regulations by the Dubai Rent Committee." 1. Are they allowed to increase rent after the first anniversary of the lease? 2. If the index currently shows no increase, on what basis are they asking for a 10% increase, and what does the language in quotation marks allow them to do?

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.