Q: I have rented a hotel apartment from an agency who has a contract with a hotel apartment in the UAE. I hold an annual contract with the agency and I have paid the annual rent in advance. The hotel apartment has issued a check-in form by confirming my stay with this particular hotel apartment for 1 year. The hotel apartment also gave me a letter (family visa purpose) stating that I am one of their guests who is going to stay for 1 year. Now, there is some dispute with the agency and the hotel apartment and the agency are not reachable at all, and the hotel apartment tries to evacuate me. 1) Will the hotel apartment be able to evacuate me by law? 2) The agency still holds one cheque from me, can I stop it?

Q: There are many of private apartments in Dubai advertised as holiday homes for short-term rent. As far as I know, there is a special regulation of such leasing in Dubai, requiring a permission from the government authorities.How can I be sure, that booking of an apartment for a short stay, let's say through Airbnb, is legal? What documents should I ask from the landlord to be on a safe side?

Q: I have a property in Dubai which I rented out to a holiday home company to operate on short/long term rentals. I have been provided quarterly cheques for 1 year and executed PoA in their favour to manage the property. The cheque bounced, and despite my repeated requests, they're not clearing the dues or replying to communications. They have also not executed Ejari nor providing me documents to do so. The utility connections are being operated in my name with outstanding dues there also. Subsequently, I served a legal notice to pay the outstanding and vacate and for the cancellation of the PoA via Notary Public on 5th Dec, but they refused to take delivery of the notices and the Aramex courier was returned to me. I also sent a copy of legal notices by email. In parallel, I filed a cheque bounce case with Dubai Police and awaiting action from them. Now, I am not sure what are my further legal options. How will I be ensured that the property is vacated and payment of rent and utilities will be made?

Q: Hi Madam, An agency has taken my money for providing me with 6 months of accommodation in a hotel apartment. They did not provide me with the accommodation and after a lot of efforts, I am able to get my partial money back. But the agency is not refunding my remaining amount and they are not opening their office nor responding to my call (they have blocked my number and don't respond to any new number). Can I file a case in the rental dispute centre and also claim compensation for all the trouble me and my family went through and the expenses incurred? They took AED 2000 cash, a cheque of AED 12500 dated 2nd may (which they used) and another cheque of AED 12500. After police called them, they returned my 2nd unused cheque and AED 7000 in cash. I have AED 7500 refund pending. Kindly suggest. Thanks, S.

Q: Our office is going for a rental contract with a company (both the names on the contract are of companies). However, they want us to pay cheques in the name of an employee of the company (individual) as they have some problem with their company account. Is it legal to do so? And how can we safeguard ourselves? Best Regards

Q: Dear sir/madam, I have just signed a contract to lease a hotel apartment with an agency. They showed me the hotel apartment and when I say I’d like to lease the place, they took me to their office where we signed the contract. The contract was signed by me and the agent; not the hotel itself. They wanted one cheque for the contract which includes a deposit and commission; not in 3 different cheques for deposit/rent/commission. Also, they wanted the cheque to be addressed to the agency. Since I did not have enough money to pay 100% of rent/deposit/commission in one cheque, I asked them that I will give the rent in one cheque the day I move in. However, I gave them a cheque which was 10% of the rent and the agency cashed the amount already. Is there any way I can find out if this agency and contract are legit? I called the hotel to ask them if this agency is their official one, they told me they cannot confirm anything. And I found out that this agency is not registered in RETA. It is only DED licensed.

Q: Hi, I recently gave a deposit + agency fee in cash (I have the agency receipt), but we would like to go back on our decision and not rent this apartment. We haven't signed the leasing contract yet, and neither has the owner. In the receipt, it's written that the deposit is non-refundable, but I haven't signed it, only the agent. So I don't know if it is legal. Do you know if I can get all my cash back (deposit + agency fee) when the deal did not close in the end because of me? Would the reason for deciding not to rent anymore impact the legal aspect of the situation?

Q: Hello. I am a tenant in an apartment in Dubai (freehold), with the contract expiring in less than 90 days. The landlord says he is unable to renew the contract without specifying a reason. He has also not informed me through any official channel. I did some checks through DLD/RDC and found out that there is an active case on RDC and the property is listed as "property is blocked". The case status mentions that the sell transaction is blocked, and Ejari is also blocked (the landlord had been trying to sell for some time) when the case was opened. What are my options given that as a tenant I have no official knowledge of any of these and have every intention to renew my contract?

Q: Hi guys, Please help me! I am a young lady just trying to make ends meet, but I was scammed. I saw a flat that I wanted to rent, so I contacted the real estate company and went for a viewing. I paid an AED 8,190 booking fee, which was refundable if they did not honor the deal. The day to sign the contract came, but I was given excuses. I requested my refund and was given a check that the bank rejected. I reported this to Dubai Land, and they contacted the company to pay me back. I received AED 4,000, but they still owe me AED 4,190, which I really need back. Dubai Land said I must contact a legal advisor, but I cannot afford one. Please advise me on how to go about this situation. I would appreciate any help. These guys have since resorted to ignoring me. I have a copy of the receipt, the check, and the emails to support all of this.

With the introduction of the new procedures for obtaining a power of attorney (POA) remotely in the UAE, after it was mandatory to appear in person in front of the notary public as a global rule to ensure the identity and intention of the person requesting a POA, we put between your hands this brief guide for how you get it done.

The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.

The law promulgates UAE Civil Procedures Code (Civil Procedure Law) which governs civil procedures in the United Arab Emirates, including the prosecution before the courts, litigation and execution.