Q: We have still 7 months left on our tenancy contract but the property has too many issues and in one room the ceiling has fallen down due to leaks. Is there any way we can break the contract and receive the rent for remaining months and our security deposit back? Thanks for the advice.

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: Can a tenant break the lease early and be refunded by the landlord if the rental property has been found to have mould in several places? And it is no longer just a maintenance issue but a health hazard. The property also houses a child below the age of one.

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.