Questions & Answers
Ninety days notice period required for non renewal of tenancy
Hi,
I wish to terminate my lease with my current landlord before the end of my contract.
There is a clause in the lease stating I should give 60 days notice with no other mention of penalties.
The landlord is demanding 2 months rent after the 60 days, is this legal? How can I approach this?
Thank you

Dear Questioner,
I assume that the rented flat is in Dubai. Both the owner and the tenant may serve a notice of 90 days to the other party if one of the parties does not intend to renew the tenancy contract.
This is in accordance with Article 14 of Law No. 33 of 2008 amending Law No. 26 of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in Dubai (the 'Amended Rental law').
It states: "Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, if either party to the tenancy contract wishes to amend any of its terms in accordance with Article (13) of this Law, that party must notify the other party of the same no less than ninety (90) days prior to the date on which the tenancy contract expires."
If your contract specifies a 60 days notice, you may have to follow that. If you have served 60 days notice then you are not liable to pay 2 months rent as a penalty.
Hope the above clarification is satisfactory.
Thank you.
Regards,
Rajasree Ravivarma
+971544461746