Q: Hi, I have a problem. The house owner in UAE, Dubai asked me today to pay a fine for returned cheque 5,000 AED in case the cheque bounced and it is written in the contract. Today they called me asking for the fine anyway they say they gave the cheque to another bank to collect the money and the other bank rejected it. I called my bank and they said no one gave them any cheque. So the owner wants the fine and the rent. What should I do?

Q: Dear Sir, We have paid an amount with Rent Dispute Committee (RDC) for a rent case, but supposedly there is the bounced cheque case still filed with police. Since we have paid based on the court order and paid in court, doesn't the cheque amount drop? Do we pay twice the same amount? Best regards

Q: Today I was called by the police, telling me that an agent where I rented a holiday apartment for 4 months complained about 2 bouncing cheques for January, February. I paid for January by cash at the time but never got my cheque back. The check got a signature irregular, put willing to pay that straight away. What are my rights and what can I do?

Q: Hi Naser, Got a question. My company is responsible for paying for my accommodation as it's listed in my work contract. However, the apartment leasing contract is under my name and the 4 cheques are paid by my company. One cheque was bounced 4 months ago (the landlord sent us an email asking to pay for it and the company promised to do but couldn't). In 1 week, the last cheque will get bounced too, due to insufficient funds and financial problem in the company. Adding to this, I got terminated last week. Can the landlord file a case against me (how much time it takes, would I receive a travel ban)? Or will they deal ONLY with the company? I can't pay anything from my side so would they ask me to leave the apartment immediately? Can I take my furniture out or they have the right to keep it? What is the worst consequence that can happen to me? Thanks

Q: My cousin who had taken flats has a criminal case and case filed at the Rental Dispute Centre. The landlord used his guarantee cheques (empty & signed) to file the criminal case. But the amount is huge and not true because part of that has been paid. Since he is overstaying because of this case, he plans to surrender to police and hopefully pay a fine or a short jail term, as he is not able to pay the landlord the amount. Will the amnesty help his situation in reducing the jail term? Is the case filed with Rental Dispute Centre considered a civil case? What if the case has been forwarded to court with a judgement of a 1-year term, will he serve the term or can just pay a fine? By the way, the amount of 2 cheques was more than 200k for each cheque. What should he do to solve this problem? Would really appreciate your prompt response.

Q: Dear Sir I have 2 cases registered in a Dubai police station under rental cheque bounce, with a value of 13000 & 18000. What will be the consequences? Will police detain me if I go to them or what will happen, Sir? Please let me know. Thanks

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Good day! May I request you to please give me some legal advice after receiving the rental dispute verdict? My questions are: 1. When the decision becomes final and executory? 2. What would be the next step that both parties have to apply for the execution letter? What would be the next step and how many days we have to wait for the final execution? 3. Can we deposit the key and the parking card to Rental Dispute Center while waiting for the final execution of the judgment? 4. Can we request an NOC from RDC to move out of the premises? Highly appreciate your response and thank you very much in advance! Best Regards,

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.

An interview-format article covering the topic of loans and bounced cheques in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

As the civil and commercial transactions in the UAE have been growing rapidly, and due to replacing cash with other financial instruments such as cheques for big amounts of money, this had caused some hiccups at times leading to criminal and civil consequences on the person who defaults on fulfilling obligations.

An interview-format article covering the topic of residential retail properties pertaining to the liability for property maintenance and the repercussions of defaulting on rent payments in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

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.

I believe that there is a similarity between medicine and law, and just as there is a way to ask a question to a doctor to get the most accurate and correct answers from him, which ultimately helps you receive the correct diagnosis, and therefore the correct treatment, there is a way to ask a lawyer.

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.

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.

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.