Q: I have a tenant in JBR for many years who is paying rent in 2 payments. The 2nd payment was due 1/3/18 but he delayed it and has now sent me the payment for only 4 months, as he wants to leave at end of June as per clause below. The contract states: 6. If the tenant would like to terminate the tenancy agreement prior to the contract end date, three months written notice must be given by the tenant and the tenant will be required to pay the equivalent of one month's rent as compensation to the landlord with all remaining rent returned to the tenant. 7. If clause 6 is invoked, the tenant will be refunded his/her remaining rent (excluding the one-month penalty) and the security deposit pending a move out inspection report of the property. My point is that he should have paid the full 6 months rent instalment on the 1st of March and he would have received a refund of only 1 month after moving out. Do I have any grounds to take action against him?

Q: In my tenancy contract I have this clause: "If the tenant intends to vacate or renew the tenancy on the expiry date, he/she agrees to give the landlord at least ninety (90) days written notice. a) Renewal should be signed and the rental cheque has to be paid 1 month before expiry, otherwise, the landlord has the right to find a new tenant." I gave the landlord notice 60 days prior to the expiry date. Now he is asking for a penalty of one month from me or extending the contract for 1 month with an additional one-month payment. However, in the clause, I don't see any reference to such a penalty. The only written sub-clause is that renewal should be signed one month before expiry, otherwise, he can find another tenant. I want to leave the last day of the contract, therefore I don't have any issue with him finding another tenant afterwards. Based on the above, is he eligible to get a penalty? Kind Regards, D. D.

Q: I am renting an apartment right now in Dubailand. The rental term ends by 28th of February. I am flying back to my home country on April 6th and I don't want to look for another stay for the last two months. My landlord wouldn't mind when I stay until April 6th but he and I both don't know if it's legal and what do we need to do to make it binding between us. Thanks and Best Regards

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.