Q: Hi, My tenancy contract expired last week, and I filed an offer and deposit case with DLD because the landlord had not informed me of the rent increase 90 days earlier, and the RERA calculator also stated no rent increase was due. The offer and deposit case has been rejected due to no response from the landlord. What are the next steps? Do I need to file anything further? Thanks!

Q: Dear lawyers I submitted a file to the Dubai Land Department (RDC) through a trustee center regarding the rental increase by the landlord. I submitted the documents as per the trustee officer. Now I record the email that ‘the offer and deposit request has been rejected by the system as there has been no response from the respondent for 5 days. What do I do next? Is there any fault on my side? Kindly advise.

Q: Good morning, My landlord notified me 90 days before my contract’s end of a 15% rent increase, raising it from AED 55,000 to AED 63,250. However, according to the RERA index, the maximum increase should be 5%. I tried to negotiate, but they refused. On October 15, I made an offer and deposit of AED 57,250 (including the RERA-approved increase). The judge accepted it, but the landlord rejected it, claiming their other 1-bedroom units rent for AED 75,000. My contract expired on October 31, 2024. Recently, the landlord emailed saying I’m now staying illegally and will be charged AED 100 per day for not signing a new contract. Last week, I requested a new contract based on the RERA index, but they responded by refusing my offer and deposit, demanding full payment. My question: Should I be concerned, or should I let them pursue a case? Or just wait and see? Thank you for your assistance.

Q: Dear Lawyers, I filed 2 Offer & Deposit applications: 1. Notice & Rent Increase: The landlord gave a 90-day notice to an unregistered email that is not listed in the tenancy agreement. My Jan 2025 filing, based on the Dec 2024 RERA Index, showed no rent increase, but the landlord now claims a 5% increase per the updated RERA Calculator this year. 2. Rental Payment: To deposit/transfer rent. Both were rejected due to the landlord’s nonresponse. However, the first installment was transferred via RDC & I provided the receipt. The landlord now demands the remaining payments, a renewed Ejari, & AED 420 admin fee (vs. the usual AED 265). They also threatened with eviction since Ejari expired last month. I’ve offered to provide PDC or deposit the amount. They have asked me to follow up with RDC to ensure the 1st payment is transferred to their account. Since I completed the Offer & Deposit process, I prefer they initiate a preliminary case. Could you please advise on the best course of action at this stage?

Q: I’ve lived in my building for over 4 years, with the most recent rent being AED 50,000. Each year, the management collects cheques and extra AED 2,400–2,500 cash (no receipt) for management and Ejari fees. My contract was due for renewal on 15 Feb 2025, but management delayed, demanding a 10% rent increase even though no formal 90-day notice and the RERA index did not allow it. After a month of excuses, the manager called on 12 March, insisted increase to 55K, and threatened eviction if I refused. When I referenced RDC, he hung up. The next day, he again made unprofessional remarks, so I decided to go with RDC. I submitted my offer and deposit on 13th March, but the management didn’t respond. The case went to the judge on 14 April he ruled in my favor. On 30 April, I applied for the execution of the ruling, and RDC says I can renew Ejari only on 8th May at DLD with cheques given to them. However, on 1st May 2025, I received a notarized eviction notice for non-payment of rent and communication. My question is, what will happen at DLD now?

تخضع العلاقة بين المستأجرين ومالكي العقارات في دبي للقانون رقم 33 لعام 2008 بشأن العلاقة بين مالكي ومستأجري العقارات في إمارة دبي. تتم إحالة منازعات الإيجار الناتجة إلى مركز فض المنازعات الإيجارية ("RDSC") الذي تم إنشاؤه بموجب المرسوم رقم 26 لعام 2013 للتوفيق بين الأطراف والوصول إلى حل ودي أو طلب إصدار حكم نهائي وإنفاذه من خلال مركز فض المنازعات الإيجارية.

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. 

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.

This Decree establishes a specialised judicial system to hear rent disputes and develops the procedure for determination of such disputes through an expeditious and simple process for the purpose of realising social and economic stability for all persons involved with the real property rental and other related sectors.