Q:   Dear Sir/Madam,       We vacated our 1 BHK apartment after a year. Recently, we received an email from the management regarding maintenance charges of AED 5812. The details show pictures of almost everything in the house that are not damaged.       They have mentioned that they need to replace everything with new items, including the toilet paper handle, shower cap, shower head, valve, soap handle, and so on.       When we asked the management why they needed to replace these items, they simply responded by saying that Dubai properties are expensive and they are very strict.       However, they could not provide a reason as to why these items needed to be replaced when they were not damaged. They only said that new items are given to new tenants, and the same would happen to the next tenant as well.       We have disputed these charges, but the management responded by saying that they do not have a dispute team and we are required to pay the full amount.       We had requested them to inform us during the inspection, but they failed to notify us and conducted the inspection without our knowledge.    

Q: Dear Lawyers, The landlord is not ready to fix the leaking roof despite paying the maintenance charge. He refuses to do the work and wants the tenant to fix the roof.

Q: Hello, Regarding the rental contract, I have a term that requires a 2000 AED maintenance fee upon renewal. Is it normal to pay this fee upon each renewal, and can I negotiate to remove this term from the new contract? It feels like an overcharge. Renting is in Dubai. Appreciate your help! Thank you!

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 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.