Q: My tenancy contract was made until September 2018, but I'm losing my job now. Therefore, I have to terminate my contract with a one month notice. But the landlord is asking for two extra months rent after my eviction period also. Please advise me about this.

Q: My tenancy contract specifies that "In the event of early termination, Tenant shall have to serve two-month written notice prior to the vacating date and to pay two months rent as a penalty to the landlord and the remaining balance to be refunded". Based on that, please advise if during the two months notice I can stay in the property and paying those two months rent (which are effectively already paid) are the penalty or if after the two months notice an additional two months rent should be paid as a penalty? Thank you

Q: Dear Sir/Ma'am, I have rented a studio in Discovery Gardens, it was for 3 cheques and the tenancy contract started on Jan. 11, 2018. My first cheque was paid to cover the period until May 11, 2018. My issue is I am getting another job outside the UAE and I plan to vacate and terminate the contract on March 11, 2018. My question is, can I still get the remaining amount of 2 months or it can be used as a penalty for breaching the contract? Thanks, I will highly appreciate your opinion.

Q: I was a resident of Sharjah and was staying in a 2 BHK apartment. As I was looking for a furnished apartment on rent for a short span of 6 months only, the landlord denied to make the agreement but verbally decided to accept the rent upfront each month and asked for 1-month rent as security. I objected to giving any security deposit but promised to pay rent at the beginning of each month and gave him a cheque with 1-month rent amount if I don’t make the payment at the beginning of the month but not a security deposit. Due to living with the family, I had to look for another option I moved to a new apartment before the new month started. Now, the landlord is asking for rent for the month in which I’m not going to stay and threatening me to deposit the cheque of AED 1,600/- and get the cheque bounced and take legal action to put me behind the bar. I have paid AED 1,000/- for utility in advance for which bill was generated as AED 640/- only. What are the legal ways to come out of this??

Q: I want to early terminate my tenancy contract of one of my nurseries in JLT (retail unit) as the business is completely shut since March. I am unable to contact my landlord who is a Chinese national; he does not reply to email or call and may not be in Dubai. The final cheque is due 01 May 2020, what should I do?

س: هل توجد غرامة يجب دفعها عند الرغبة في عدم استئجار وحدة سكنية بعد توقيع العقد؟ علمًا بأن تاريخ العقد لم يبدأ بعد وتم إبلاغ المالك في خلال 12 ساعة؛ وذلك لأن المالك يرفض إرجاع الشيكات إلا بعد دفع شهرين من قيمة الإيجار كما أنه لم يتم استلام أصل العقد ولا الوحدة.

Q: I informed the landlord via WhatsApp and emails that the apartment is vacated and I am ready to return the keys. There is no reply from the landlord. I returned the keys via RDC. The landlord demands the full rental amount now for not returning the keys earlier.

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.

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.