Q: What could be consequences if my rental cheque is returned? Do I have 2-3 months after the date of the cheque to arrange the necessary amount? What is the worst case scenario for me?

Q: Good evening Sir, I have a rental cheque of amount 30k bounced by my landlord due to insufficient funds. I lost my job and had to come back to my country. Now, I have a new job opening in Dubai. When I checked the immigration system, it showed that I have a case against me for the same amount of AED 30k. How would I be able to come back to Dubai as they will stop me at the airport? I’ve got people saying that as per the new law, I will have to pay a fine up to AED 2000 for a bounced cheque of AED 50k. Is this true? How do I deal with this? Thanks so much in advance. Your legal help is really helpful for all the residents of the UAE.

Q: Dear Sir, I need an advice on my three rental cheques of AED 4800 each, which bounced in Sharjah and the landlord has filed a complaint in Sharjah Police Station. Alongside, the court has ordered to vacate the place. I have been jobless for the last 15 months and I have told the judge about my condition. What do I have to do now? As per the new rule on cheque bounce, can I hire a lawyer and pay a fine for my bounced cheque and be released from the police station so that I can apply for a new job? Please guide me.

س: السلام عليكم، سؤال في قضية إيجارية: سكنت لمدة ستة أشهر في أبوظبي كمستأجر بعقد موثَّق، وكانت الكهرباء والمياه على المؤجِّر. دفعت نقدًا قبل السكن ومعي الإيصالات. في أول شهر من الإيجار أخطرت الشركة المؤجِّرة بعدم التجديد (إيميل) نظرًا لسوء حالة الوحدة، وأخليت العين بشهادة شاهدين قبل انتهاء العقد ب 3 أيام، وسلَّمت المفتاح لمدير الشركة في مقر عملي أمام الكاميرات وبشهادة زميل لي. انتقلت بعدها لسكن آخر موثَّق أيضًا على بُعد ناصيتين وهذه المرة بحساب مياه وكهرباء منفصل. بعد مضي 4 أشهر على انتهاء العقد، قامت الشركة بتقديم طلب لدائرة القضاء في أبو ظبى مطالبة بإرفاق العقد الموثق بالصيغة التنفيذية و"مطالبتي بالإخلاء والقيمة الإيجارية عن 6 أشهر أخرى وبراءة ذمة المياه والكهرباء"، وهو ما أيدته لجنة الإيجارات، وبعدها بيوم أحالت الطلب للتنفيذ. قدمنا استشكالاً في اليوم التالي لـ"القضية التنفيذية"، وكان الرد بعد عشرة أيام بالقبول. هل هذا يعني إسقاط القضية أم لا؟ وإن لا، فما الخطوة التي يمكننا إثبات موقفنا بها (بعد 21 يومًا من الطلب)؟

Q: Dear Sir, I haven't paid rent to my landlord since Feb '21 till date. The contract expired on Nov '21. I have been staying since then without a contract. While my phone calls - were disconnected since Dec '21, I did not hear from the landlord via Whatsapp or e-mail as well. And I also did not contact him. Today the landlord came and said that the court people came 2 months ago, to check if I was there. However the building management say they never were asked by any people about my whereabouts. My landlord says he wants me to vacate within 2 days. Pending rent is for 13 months. 9 months of the contract period and four months of non-contract period. Today I paid him 25,000 and tomorrow we will draw up an agreement plan for the balance payment of AED 67,000. The landlord has AED 13,000 of my deposit with him. Can I request a 30 days eviction period from the landlord? As I have not gotten any formal notice as yet. I know i am still in the wrong. Please advise. Thank you

In the UAE, cheque bounce is a very frequent problem faced by people during their span in the country. It is covered under the purview of Commercial Transactions Law, and legal implications/penalties can be financially severe and daunting for more “serious” offenses. Bounced cheque issues may arise in a variety of commercial transactions, including but not limited to, companies’ exchanges, bank loans, property rents or purchases, and individual transactions.

The relationship between tenants and landlords is regulated in Dubai by Law No. 33 of 2008 Concerning the Relationship Between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai. The arising rental disputes are referred to Rental Disputes Settlement Centre (“RDSC”) created by Decree No. 26 of 2013 to reconcile between the parties and reach an amicable settlement or seek a final judgment issued and enforced by the RDSC.

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.

This Law promulgates the Federal Penal Code (Criminal Law) of the United Arab Emirates. Crimes and chastisement punishments shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other penal codes.

The provisions of this Decree by Law amend the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 by replacing Clause (4) of Article (379) as well as Articles (600), (617), (641), (642), (643), (644), and adding new articles numbered (635) Bis, (641) Bis (1), (641) Bis (2), (641) Bis (3), (641) Bis (4), (643) Bis (1), (643) Bis (2), (644) Bis (1) and (644) Bis (2). The Decree-Law also repeals Articles (401), (402) and (403) of the Federal Law No. (3) of 1987.