Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
8 available 8 • View allPainting and maintenance of a rented apartment in Dubai
1
Q: I have been in an apartment for more than 7 years. I asked the landlord to paint the apartment, he says that he needs a two-year contract from me to do the painting.
Is painting included in the maintenance?

Feb 19, 2020
2861
How to claim the security deposit back from the landlord
7
Q: Hello Madam,
I hope you're doing fine.
I am unable to get a security deposit of AED 2000 from the landlord.
The current real estate agent claims that the landlord has some legal dispute with the former real estate company and I can't get my refund.
Can you kindly guide me on the above?

Jan 3, 2021
3310
Can the tenant file a case for security deposit in case of damaging property?
3
Q: Hi Team,
I rented my property to a gentleman and the lease expired on 14th November 20. The tenant refuses to agree on the maintenance issues like broken tiles, door hinges and improper painting done by him.
He asked me to sign that all are clear and refused to give the key. Finally, after 5 days he handed the keys over but did not agree on maintenance. Now he filed a case to claim his deposit.
What is my right? What is my liability on the same?
A. M. S.

Jan 4, 2021
3683
How to claim the security deposit from the landlord after leaving the property?
1
Q: A landlord agent, after failing to live up to the terms of my monthly rentals agreement, including not making repairs, said I could vacate the property before the end of the lease if I want and he will return the deposit.
After I moved out, he turn around stiff me with my deposit claiming that I broke the lease for moving out before lease expiration. What is my legal recourse?

Mar 25, 2022
295
Filing a case with RERA to get the deposit that the landlord used to paint the villa?


1
Q: Hi,
My landlord will not refund my AED 4,500 deposit for my rented villa, because he claims it was used to paint it, as per the request of the new tenant.
I lived in the villa for less than 10 months, I left it in great condition and my contract doesn’t state I have to paint it upon the end of the contract.
All the contract says is that the rental is bound by law 26 of 2007, in which article 21 states that normal wear and tear is acceptable.
Initially, I was informed by the agent that the villa is in great condition and I will get all my deposit back. Then the landlord changed agent and the new agent claims that it is their practice to paint the properties before a new tenant moves in, irrespective of the terms of the contract.
Should I file a case with RERA to get my deposit back?



Nov 21, 2022
595
What can I do if the tenant of my villa makes changes without my consent?


0
Q: I have a villa in Dubai and the rent contract between us and the tenant stipulates that the tenant can not make any modifications or changes to the villa without the owner’s written consent.
I found that the tenant had made additions that can damage the structure of the villa, also he neglected the swimming pool maintenance and stopped the garden irrigation system for the garden under the pretext that he does not need the swimming pool and the garden.
I spoke with him and he claimed that when he leaves the villa in the future he would repair the damage.
Note that he entered the construction materials from the gate of the complex without taking the approval of the developer.
I sent him a warning through the notary to remove the added structure and repair the damages within a period of thirty days, but he ignored the warning.
The initial estimate of the damage is much more than his deposit with us.
Please advise



Mar 9, 2023
193
Landlord refuses to fix leaking roof despite maintenance fee: What can tenants do?




1
Q: Dear Lawyers,
The landlord is not ready to fix the leaking roof despite paying the maintenance charge.
He refuses to do the work and wants the tenant to fix the roof.





+2
Jul 16, 2024
94
Tenant damaged property, deposit insufficient; how to claim compensation?




1
Q: Hello,
A tenant damaged the property I recently purchased upon their eviction, and the security deposit does not cover all of the damages.
I would like to know how I can take action against the tenant. Does any proof need to be submitted? If yes, what proofs are required since I bought an already tenanted property?
What is the timeframe and process to seek compensation for the damages?





+3
Mar 7, 2025
82
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allProcedures of the Rental Dispute Settlement Center in Dubai 21
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.
Oct 20, 2018
21360
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allLaw No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 12
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.
Nov 26, 2007
24285
Law No. (33) of 2008 Amending Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 8
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.
Dec 1, 2008
24939
Decree No. (26) of 2013 Concerning the Rent Disputes Settlement Centre in the Emirate of Dubai 0
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.
Sep 18, 2013
7290

Premium
Other answers by
451 451 answers •
View allAre there any restrictions on a diplomat buying property in the UAE? 0
Hello,
Is there any restriction on a diplomat buying property in the UAE, where he works as a diplomat at his country's consulate?
Feb 20, 2025
69
If someone has a case in the UAE, can they travel to another GCC country? 0
Hi.
One of my friends joined a Telegram group. They said, "We will transfer some amount to your account, and your task is to transfer this amount to another account. Once the task is completed, you will get 30 or 50 AED per task."
He completed 3 to 4 tasks, but he realized it was not good, so he stopped. After one week, when he opened his account, it was blocked, and the bank said, "We are conducting an investigation; after this, we will let you know."
After some days, he had an accident and went to his home country. He then received a call from a landline number, which was from the Abu Dhabi police station.
They said, "We have received a complaint against you; come to our investigation department." However, due to his surgery and treatment, he could not go.
After some time, his bank account was reopened, and he did not receive any further calls. I want to know, if he comes back to the UAE or goes to any other GCC country, will he face any problems?
If someone has a case in the UAE, can they travel to another GCC country?
Please advise!
Feb 17, 2025
133
What can I do if my employer refuses to pay me and I have no contract? 0
Hello,
What legal action can I take in case the employer refuses to pay my salary and I don't have a contract with them?
Feb 18, 2025
122
I want to open an online shop. Do I need a license to open an Etsy shop? 0
I currently live in Sharjah and have a UAE residence visa but I am not a UAE or GCC national. I want to open an online shop (Etsy or Shopify) to sell handmade items, such as crocheted goods, bookmarks, greeting cards, etc.
Do I need a license to open an Etsy shop?
If so, which license do I need to sell my products online, including UAE and worldwide?
How much would it cost me?
Can I keep my residence visa (sponsored by my father) and not change it?
Feb 14, 2025
115
How can we locate a person with an ongoing legal case? 0
Hello,
I am seeking your legal advice regarding a friend who was previously imprisoned in Abu Dhabi. His case there is now closed, but he has another ongoing case in Dubai.
Currently, we have lost contact with him and are unsure of his whereabouts. How can we check where he is or access any other legal facility?
Are there legal procedures to locate a person with an ongoing case?
What steps should we take to get more information about his status and legal position?
Feb 11, 2025
136

Premium
Other answers by
342 342 answers •
View allHow can I vacate my tenant if the rental agreement ends before the eviction notice deadline? 0
My Dubai tenant's rental agreement is ending by the end of September 2024 and the completion of 12 months of legally served Eviction Notice is the end of December 2024.
I have two questions:
(a) Can I send a rent increase notice 3 months before as the rent has increased as per the RERA rent calculator?
(b) The second question is, do I have to renew the rental agreement for 3 months (until December 2024) or not?
Thank you.
May 1, 2024
268
How can I reach a settlement with the bank for a mortgage of a jointly owned property? 0
I have a jointly owned property in Abu Dhabi. The mortgage was defaulted on as I had to leave the property with my children following an assault by my ex-husband. He left the country in 2018 and never paid the mortgage.
As I was in the country, the bank filed a criminal case against me, and I was sentenced to 3 years. I won the appeal against the bank and then filed another criminal case a few months later in Dubai. Again, I won and paid a fine.
In 2019, the bank started a civil case against me and my ex-husband to have the property repossessed. However, at the time of the purchase of the property, there were no Title Deeds, the bank requires this.
I cannot give them the Title Deeds to sell the property and pay back the amount owed to them as my ex-husband refuses to provide a POA. The bank has filed another criminal case against me only for our jointly owned property.
I wish to resolve this and pay off the bank and receive any money left from the sale. How can I resolve this issue of the Title Deeds?
Oct 4, 2022
282
The procedures for filing for divorce on mutual consent 0
Dear sir/madam,
I am separated from my wife due to compatibility reasons. We got married in the Indian consulate in Dubai on December, 23rd.
We would like to file a divorce on mutual consent as soon as possible. May I get some advice here on the procedures?
Sep 13, 2022
673
My previous employer failed to pay my gratuity. Can I file a case 6 months after resignation? 0
My previous employer failed to pay my gratuity six months past now since I resigned, Is it possible to file a case against him after a 6 months period?
May 31, 2022
1275
Can a real estate agency hold a percentage of a property sale until transfer is done? 0
A real estate agency has signed an MOU stating that a 10% security deposit from the buyer and the seller will be kept in the real estate agency and will be released upon transferring the property.
The transfer of the property was blocked due to the court order.
According to my colleagues, the real estate agency is not a trustee and they are not allowed to have taken my security check in the first place, is this correct?
Jun 28, 2021
1263
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