Q: Hello, I was supposed to renew my rental contract in early February, but due to harassment and threats, we agreed in rental court that we would settle and move out. Now, while awaiting the verdict, the landlord has gone ahead and canceled DEWA. What can I do? Isn’t that illegal?

Q: Dear Lawyers, I had to pay my rent by the 29th of last month as per building management, but my salary is always paid after the 2nd. When I asked them to be patient, they refused and instead disconnected my DEWA. It has been up to 24 hours now— is this legal?

Q: I have hired a lawyer for enforcement purposes. I am divorced with two kids, and the kids are Emirati. I submitted all the receipts and rent that is due, and I am still waiting for a response from the court; it has been more than two weeks. The landlord has sent a warning letter as the rent is late for one month now, and they have threatened to cut off the electricity and water, saying it’s part of the system and that this will be disconnected automatically as the contract has not been renewed. I checked online at the court system, but still nothing has been done to get the money from the father as he is incapacitated and in a rehab center. What can I do? I have already paid a lot of expenses with the lawyer.

An interview-format article covering the topic of residential retail properties pertaining to the liability for property maintenance and the repercussions of defaulting on rent payments in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

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.

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.