Q: Hello, Just need to clarify this. We are facing a serious (really horrible) drainage smell from the kitchen (sometimes we are unable to cook food due to the horrible smell) but unfortunately we can't give proof, pic... etc. on this case. The stinking smell is not consistent or regular but somedays morning or other days at night. The building maintenance clearly knows the issue but they are not able to do anything and management is not taking any action. The owner's office wont allow tenant's to contact the owner. Kindly advise and help.

Q: Hi, I only recently rented a small 1 BR in Mirdiff Ghoroob gated community. However, it has been brought to my attention a constant presence of unbearable sewage smell at night time which disturbs my sleep almost every night. I spoke to the property and maintenance office and only realised that the stench is not caused inside the community but by the closeness of the sewage plant treatment. I am afraid I cannot get used to living in such an environment especially since I suffer from respiratory allergies. I already filed a complaint to the municipality but nobody came to resolve it. I feel I am stuck and doomed because the agency failed to mention this ongoing problem which was unfair and unethical. Can you please help? Thank you. Lana

Q: Hello. I hope I can get some good insight from you. I have tried to reason with my landlord to allow me to break my tenancy contract early. He refused. Now what legal action can I take, and can I refuse to pay the full amount as too many shortfalls in the building? It is very dirty, never cleaning, the gym is so dirty one may get a disease, faulty equipment, very bad maintenance, a pool no one can access... so many. What can I do about it? Can I refuse to pay the whole amount? Who can I complain to? I need some info to know what to do. Thank you.

س: السلام عليكم، أسكن في بيت إيجار بعقد من الباطن مع أسرتي. مشكلتي أن المؤجِّر قطع الكهرباء وأخذ المكيفات التي في الأسطح والآن لا توجد كهرباء ولا مكيفات ولا يوجد لدي عقد موثَّق. علمًا بأن آخر يوم من شهر 6 يكون الإيجار انتهى. أعطيت له سيارتي مقابل مبلغ الإيجار. ما الحل؟ وأين أستطيع تقديم شكوى؟ هل يحق له قطع الكهرباء وأخذ المكيفات معه؟

Q: Hi there. I have taken a villa for rent in Mirdif, Dubai, and the owner handed over the property in an unlivable condition. So I didn't want to stay in the property and wanted to end the contract. For now, the last rent cheque bounced and I am concerned that the landlord might file a case. I need legal help with the same.

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.

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.