Q: Hi, A security deposit of AED 3,500 was paid to the landlord when I moved in and rental payment for each month was monthly. I moved out for personal reasons 4.5 months later and all rental payments were made for my time there. At the time of viewing the room, it is being claimed that the landlord stated the minimum term was 6 months, which was never put in writing or was it ever confirmed I would lose my deposit even when I gave my 30 days notice. There is no contract or correspondence to confirm any of this. The landlord lives in the property and is refusing to return any of my deposit. She is ignoring me now by blocking my number. I even offered her just over AED1,000 as a pro rata settlement as a goodwill gesture, but that is when she blocked me after she read it. I refused her 50/50 offer. If filing a complaint can cost AED 2.5k-3k where do I stand it seems like a pointless exercise, I don't think RERA will look at it? Do I go to the police? I'd prefer to avoid this option. Thanks

Q: Please see the information given below and let me know who should pay this security deposit to the tenant and what will be the new landlord role here. 1. In August, 2016, I purchased a property in Gate Tower, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, where the tenant stayed. 2. His contract was until Feb 2017, so instead of returning the balance amount of rental charge, I requested the previous owner to deduct that amount. 3. After signing the contract, I received the contract between the previous owner and tenant and realized that there was a deposit AED 4,750. 4. I did not know about this deposit and transferring deposit was not even mentioned in the contract. Furthermore, the deposit agreement was between previous owner and tenant. 5. Now, the tenant wants to receive the deposit. Please let me know whether I as a new landlord have to return this deposit or the tenant has to collect the deposit from the previous owner since they made an agreement of deposit.

Q: I moved out of an apartment in Abu Dhabi on 5th of June 2017. The property management company issued me with a clearance certificate for the air conditioning with the intent of deducting the final amount owed from the security deposit. It is almost two months later and they still have not refunded the balance of the security deposit. I have made repeated requests to get the money back but they are just wasting my time. How can I proceed to get this money back? In my home country, we can go to a small claims court in which the defendant would be ordered to pay, plus pay the court fees. I tried to find similar on the ADJD website but could not and as the amount is for 1300Dhs, I don't want to have to spend this filing a court case, if I am liable for the fees also.

Q: Thank you in advance for this platform which helps others. My wife paid a business owner a down payment of 45,000 AED for a salon that they are selling. This was in December. The owners signed an agreement that they will hand over the documentation and tenancy contract to us. They gave us the key to the unit as well since the salon is closed. Due to an issue with their property management, the handover was delayed and they missed out on several deadlines that we have an agreement on in writing. They gave a security cheque of 45,000 AED as a guarantee with a promise in writing that if they don't hand over the business, we can encash the cheque. It has been 3 months since they committed to hand over the business, They are not answering calls and are not cooperating. We want to deposit the cheque. If it's bounced, we will bring it to the attention of the police. May we request your advice on this situation!

Q: Hello, Good morning, I hope you can help. Below is the summary of my case. My question relates to a rental dispute where the landlord refused to return the full deposit. The land department created a case. The landlord has now paid the full deposit and I have paid the AED 20 to close the case. The case has a Status of Closed, however, in the “In Progress case” section, the case has a Status of “Active”. I need to know if this case is actually Closed or any action is needed from my side.

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.