Q: Is the case filed at the Rental Dispute Center in Dubai considered a civil case? Will you be banned from travelling if you have a case with the Rental Dispute Center? What if the flat occupied has no contract but has used the guarantee cheque to bounce the cheque and file a criminal case? Thank you for your time and reply

Q: Hi Sir, I am staying in a shared apartment for the last six months. No tenancy contract. I couldn't pay the rent for August and September. I have given a cheque dated 3rd October, but the landlord is behind me every day. Today, he changed the key and locked the room. What should I do? He is not listening to me. He is shouting at me.

Q: Due to job loss, all my CHKs (cheques) bounced & the real estate wing of a local bank in Abu Dhabi sent all the 3 CHKs to police for filing case. Q.1- The Police processed only 2 CHKs, It was good for me but the question is why the 3rd one was not processed? Is it due to SABQA FASAL? I have a feeling now that (as per question 2 below) since one of my cases is closed, they will start the 3rd one now. Q.2-  Yesterday in Sharia Court, the Judge gave the judgment and gave me a fine of AED 3000/= and police case finished. Now 2 questions. a) Will the company file a civil case on me? b) If yes, then for how many months will they have to wait before they do it? Q.3- Now, my lease has also expired in July & the grace period of 1 month also ended by Aug 20, 2018. I received a letter from that company to renew the lease or they will file a case for eviction. What should I do here? Q.4- My other 2 CHKs hearing is due next week in Rahba Court, is it safe to ask the Judge to give a judgment? (I heard now on personal CHKs there is no Jail).

Q: Dear Advocate Khalifa, A strange situation happened to me on Saturday 14th of January and I am a bit concerned about it. I was dropping two guests, who came as tourists to a hotel in Dubai and I parked at the drop off area. I was saying good bye but a car stopped behind me and start horning. The driver lost patience and blocked my way. He came to talk to me and even gave me a slap on my hand. I didn't want to pursue the discussion and even said sorry (as maybe he was in a hurry). Nonetheless, I drove away when he moved his vehicle and he said he will call the police. He took my vehicle number. As it is now, I am unsure whether he filed a case against me. Is there any way of verifying this and how much does it cost bearing in mind the incident happened on Saturday? Thanks for your support and regards, A. J.

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 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.