Q: Hi, My landlord filed a complaint about two cheques totalling 55k. The police called me to pay a fine and the case will be dropped from the police. What will happen next? RDC? Will they penalize with a fine? If yes, then how much it might be? If the case goes to RDC, does it impose a travel ban also? Please give guidance

Q: What happens if a person left the UAE suddenly without canceling the tenancy contract and the cheques for rent bounced? If he/she wants to come back, will they get arrested? How can we check the status?

Q: Dear Sir, I haven't paid rent to my landlord since Feb '21 till date. The contract expired on Nov '21. I have been staying since then without a contract. While my phone calls - were disconnected since Dec '21, I did not hear from the landlord via Whatsapp or e-mail as well. And I also did not contact him. Today the landlord came and said that the court people came 2 months ago, to check if I was there. However the building management say they never were asked by any people about my whereabouts. My landlord says he wants me to vacate within 2 days. Pending rent is for 13 months. 9 months of the contract period and four months of non-contract period. Today I paid him 25,000 and tomorrow we will draw up an agreement plan for the balance payment of AED 67,000. The landlord has AED 13,000 of my deposit with him. Can I request a 30 days eviction period from the landlord? As I have not gotten any formal notice as yet. I know i am still in the wrong. Please advise. Thank you

Q: Hi, I would like to have a suggestion from one of your lawyers. There is an enforcement case against me in RDC Dubai for my rent of AED 26268. The court issued a travel ban as well as an arrest warrant for me. I want to pay but due to my financial situation as all my business was destroyed in Corona and I am looking for a job, I want to pay in maximum installments. What should I do? Thank You!

Q: Dear sir/madam, I have 3 checks amounting to 13980.00 AED bounced by my real estate but under a single case reference number. There is a cheque bounce case since 2020 before the new law. The discussions with the third party were unsuccessful. My concern is: 1. How much should I pay to remove my travel ban? 2. Will they collect my passport when I am paying? 3. Should I go to the police station in-person or someone can do it for me? 4. Will there be an arrest? The cheque was from my SAIF zone company account and when it bounced, I closed the account. So the check bounce was on the grounds of a closed account.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, The apartment contract is under my cousin's name, but the cheques I issued are under my name. Due to losing my job, there is an overdue rent. The landlord called me and said he will file a case against me because of a bounced cheque. I just want to know if I will be in trouble for a bounced cheque.

Q: Hi, I need legal advice. My tenant's cheque has bounced twice. What is the legal process, timeframe, and estimated professional fee to recover the outstanding rental amount?

In the UAE, cheque bounce is a very frequent problem faced by people during their span in the country. It is covered under the purview of Commercial Transactions Law, and legal implications/penalties can be financially severe and daunting for more “serious” offenses. Bounced cheque issues may arise in a variety of commercial transactions, including but not limited to, companies’ exchanges, bank loans, property rents or purchases, and individual transactions.

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.

يلعب الشيك دوراً مهماً في الحياة اليومية سواء في ميدان المعاملات التجارية أو في ميدان المعلامات المدنية باعتباره أداة وفاء والتزام تحل محل النقود في التعامل بين الافراد. ونظراً لهذه الأهمية فقد أصبح أكثر الأوراق التجارية انتشاراً وتداولاً بين الناس، على الرغم من حداثته نوعاً ما. فالشيك لم يبق كما كان في بداية عهده أداة لسحب الودائع المصرفية لحساب الساحب ذاته، بل أصبح أداة وفاء تحل محل النقود سواء على النطاق الداخلي بالنسبة للمعاملات التي يقوم بها الأفراد داخل الدولة فحسب وزادت أهميته.

This Law promulgates the Federal Penal Code (Criminal Law) of the United Arab Emirates. Crimes and chastisement punishments shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other penal codes.

This Law applies to merchants, as well as to all acts of commerce carried out in the UAE by any person even though he be not a trader. Commercial matters regarding which specific Federal laws are issued shall be subject to the provisions of such laws, and to the provisions hereof which do not contradict with said laws.

The provisions of this Decree by Law amend the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 by replacing Clause (4) of Article (379) as well as Articles (600), (617), (641), (642), (643), (644), and adding new articles numbered (635) Bis, (641) Bis (1), (641) Bis (2), (641) Bis (3), (641) Bis (4), (643) Bis (1), (643) Bis (2), (644) Bis (1) and (644) Bis (2). The Decree-Law also repeals Articles (401), (402) and (403) of the Federal Law No. (3) of 1987.