Q: I can’t reach my landlord to renew the tenancy contract for the apartment I rent for more than three months. What can I do in this situation? I need an Ejari registration to renew visas for my family.

Q: Can I extend the 99-year lease after a certain period? And what happens to my home after the 99-year lease is up? 

Q: Hello, My landlord is not agreeing to meet to pick up the checks for the rental unit I am living in, and he is also not confirming any other alternative way of payment. I know he wants to send an eviction notice to me in the future. Can he use the above against me? How can I make sure that he cannot claim that I am not paying, as he is the one who is not agreeing to meet? I have sent him three reminders already. Would appreciate your recommendation on this. Thanks!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, After my tenancy expired, the landlord did not accept cheques and did not issue Ejari. This is a shared apartment, and the owner of the entire building is a private landlord. Can they evict me from the apartment?

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.

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 determines the maximum percentage of rent increase for real property in the Emirate of Dubai when renewing lease contracts.