أسئلة وأجوبة
What can I do if the landlord has not been responding to renew the commercial lease contract and Ejari?
Good day.
For the last 3 years, the landlord's office has not responded to renew the contract, so I contacted RERA for renewal.
The office doesn't respond to emails related to renewal, even though I started sending emails and reminders 2 to 3 months before expiry, and I have no choice but to contact RERA and send a notice.
Once the renewal was processed by law, the landlord's office delayed in releasing the Ejari. Since it is a commercial property, my renewals are related to a staff visa, and I have to pay delay penalties.
The landlord's office staff tried to take advantage of the Emirati owner, and no direct meeting was fruitful.
What is the law that safeguards expats and sorts out issues without mutual compromise as they try to force their terms to be acceptable by law and not supported by any documentation?
While the law doesn't explicitly mandate the landlord's office to proactively initiate renewal, their consistent failure to respond to your legitimate attempts to renew the contract, especially well in advance of expiry, can be seen as obstructive and not in good faith.
The landlord is legally obligated to register the lease agreement (and its renewals) on the Ejari system. Delaying the release of the Ejari after the renewal has been legally processed hinders your ability to conduct your business operations (visa renewals) and causes you financial loss (delay penalties).
Since the landlord's office is still causing issues with the Ejari release and imposing unacceptable terms, you need to escalate your complaint with RERA.
If RERA's initial mediation doesn't resolve the issue, you can file a formal case with the Rental Dispute Center (RDC), which is part of RERA.
We will let you know the possibilities in detail. Kindly share your WhatsApp number to discuss further.
Dear Inquirer
We are pleased to serve you and address your inquiries.
The law governing the relationship is the law regulating the relationship between landlords and tenants of real estate in the Emirate of Dubai.
Contact us via email or call our offices in Dubai or Sharjah.
Jasim Al Haddad Advocates & Legal Consultants
Dear Questioner,
Thank you for your message and for providing a clear overview of your situation.
We understand how disruptive and frustrating it can be when landlords fail to respond to renewal requests, especially when it affects your business operations, visa renewals, and causes financial penalties.
1. Legal Obligations Under UAE Rental Law
In Dubai, under the Dubai Tenancy Law (Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008), landlords are legally obligated to renew commercial and residential lease contracts unless a proper legal notice for eviction or changes in contract terms has been served at least 90 days before expiry.
In your case, your actions (sending reminders and contacting RERA) are in line with the law. The landlord’s failure to respond or issue Ejari after legal renewal may be considered a breach of their obligations, and you have the right to take further legal steps.
2. Delay in Ejari & Visa Penalties
Delays in issuing Ejari for commercial premises can severely affect business continuity, especially when linked to:
- Trade license renewals
- Employee visa processing
- Banking or government transactions
The landlord’s delay in issuing the Ejari after renewal may justify a legal claim for damages or compensation due to the financial losses you’re facing.
3. Abuse of Position or Lack of Communication
Unfortunately, in some cases, management offices act negligently or unprofessionally, assuming protection under the Emirati ownership.
However, the law applies equally to all parties, and RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) offers a legal mechanism to address such situations without relying on informal compromise.
4. Your Legal Options
We can assist you by:
- Officially representing you before RERA’s Rental Dispute Center (RDC) to file a claim against the landlord for repeated non-response or non-compliance.
- Filing a case to enforce renewal terms and compel the landlord to release Ejari documents on time.
- Claiming compensation for losses caused by visa or license delays (if supported by documents).
- Legally challenging any unlawful terms imposed without documentation or mutual agreement.
Next Steps
Please share:
- A copy of the tenancy contract
- Correspondence with the landlord (emails, reminders)
- Any documents from RERA or Ejari
- Proof of penalties or losses due to delay
Once we review the documents, our legal team will advise you on the best course of action and represent you in formal proceedings, if necessary.
We are here to support you and ensure your rights are protected under UAE law.
Kind regards,
Mohammed Salah
Legal Consultant
Dear Client,
You are protected by Dubai’s Tenancy Law (Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008), which gives commercial tenants the right to automatic lease renewal unless the landlord has valid legal grounds for eviction.
The landlord must notify you in writing at least 90 days before expiry if they wish to change terms or increase rent; otherwise, the contract renews on the same terms.
Landlords or their offices cannot impose renewal fees or delay issuing Ejari, as this is prohibited by law.
If delays or unfair terms are forced upon you, you can file a complaint with the Dubai Rental Dispute Settlement Center (RDSC), which has the authority to enforce your rights and penalize non-compliant landlords.
You do not have to accept undocumented or unlawful terms. Legal recourse is available to resolve such disputes without needing to compromise.
Good day,
Thank you for reaching out.
Under UAE law, commercial lease contracts are governed by clear regulations that protect tenants from arbitrary actions or unjustified delays, especially when the tenant has fulfilled all obligations and attempted timely renewal.
The landlord's office is legally required to cooperate in the renewal process and issue the Ejari without delay once the contract is renewed—failure to do so may entitle you to legal remedies or compensation, especially if their inaction causes financial losses such as visa penalties.
To pursue action through RERA or the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre, proper legal representation will strengthen your position and ensure that the matter is addressed formally and efficiently.
We recommend booking a consultation or authorizing our office to represent you in resolving this issue and safeguarding your rights.
We are happy at Future Vision Law Advocates and Legal Consultancy to assist you and provide the best legal services that meet your needs.
To contact us, you can call or WhatsApp us.
According to Dubai Tenancy Law (Law No. 26 of 2007 and its amendments), a commercial tenant is protected from any arbitrary or delayed renewal by the landlord if:
The tenant expresses his desire to renew in writing 90 days before the expiration of the contract.
The landlord does not issue an official notice refusing to renew or amending the terms 90 days before the expiration of the contract.
If the landlord's office is intransigent, you can file a formal complaint with the Rental Disputes Settlement Centre (RDSC) to compel the landlord to renew the contract in accordance with the law and compensate you for any losses or fines resulting from their delay.
The landlord or his office has no right to impose terms or delay the contract without a legal basis or supporting documents, and you can formally claim your rights before the RDSC.
If you would like, I can help you prepare a formal complaint for the RDSC. Please contact us by phone or WhatsApp.
Hello,
If the landlord is not responding to your renewal request, this is a violation of the law. The UAE Civil Code and Dubai Landlord-Tenant Law state that the tenant is entitled to a renewal of the lease unless the landlord has a valid reason to terminate it.
As you've already contacted RERA, they are the governing body responsible for resolving landlord-tenant disputes.
They should be able to help mediate and ensure that your tenancy rights are respected. If the landlord is unresponsive or uncooperative, RERA can intervene and take enforcement action on your behalf.
Since you have already contacted RERA, follow up with a formal complaint explaining the situation (delays in renewal, lack of communication, non-release of Ejari).
RERA is obligated to investigate your case and can impose penalties or take legal action against the landlord if necessary.
If you require our assistance, kindly share your WhatsApp number.
Under UAE law, you have the right to file a complaint with RERA if the landlord delays the contract renewal or issuing the Ejari.
There are laws protecting tenants’ rights in such situations. Our legal center specializes in these cases, and you can contact us via WhatsApp for further legal support.
We are honored to provide you with specialized legal support for your case.
If you have any further inquiries regarding your matter, we would be happy to assist you.