Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
8 available 8 • View allLiability for property maintenance costs at the end of lease
1
Q: Dear,
Last year, 28th September 2017 to be exact, we rented 1 BHK Flat in Bur Dubai. The flat is old and since we required it on an urgent basis, we took the flat with unfixed things.
We as the tenant fixed whatever is needed (bathroom door, kitchen cabinets, bathroom ceiling...etc.). We decided not to renew the contract due to the maintenance issues we had encountered.
Now, the real state agent is asking us to pay the maintenance which quoted me for AED3500/- (kitchen and toilet ceiling change, full flat ceiling change, light change, switch change, kitchen exhaust fan change, all cleaning, shower pipe change, cabinet hinges repair, all materials and labours).
Do we really need to pay for this maintenance?
Please advice.
Highly appreciate your immediate answer.
Thanks & regards,

Oct 5, 2018
1604
Painting 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
2862
Responsibility for the maintenance of defects in a rented apartment
1
Q: I live in a 4 bedroom apartment in Deira/Dubai.
3 out of the 4 bedrooms have sewage leakage problem somewhere in the ceiling and the smell is horrible. The landlord refuses to fix the problem even though my tenancy contract clearly states that he must fix on his expense.
To make the story short, After filing for a case against him at the RDC, It all went down to the police station where he refused to sign a paper that states his willingness to fix.
Next, a Dubai Municipality official visited the apartment and submitted a report to the Land Department confirming that the apartment smells very bad. All meanwhile I refused to pay any rent to pressure this landlord to fix.
So now 4 months have passed and the accumulated rent has built up to above AED 100,000. The landlord has filed a case to claim the rental amount.
What to do? And how can he file a case against me at the RDC without the RDC asking him to fix the apartment first?!
Can I refuse to pay this landlord? I think it is unfair to pay!

Jul 12, 2018
6468
Who is responsible for the damages of a rented apartment due to water leaks?

1
Q: I have been renting an apartment for 1.5 years in Dubai.
Recently, the kitchen ceiling leaked and the water has gone into the wooden cabinets and 3 of the cabinets have completely rotted from inside. All of our food in there is destroyed.
Not only that, but the water from the leak mixed with the glue from the wooden cabinets and became brown and sticky. It is now all over the worktops and the floor and appliances in the kitchen.
There are puddles of brown water on the floor. The entire kitchen is unusable.
The main maintenance person first refused to visit the apartment to inspect the damage. He only came when we insisted and then told us we have to wait until next Thursday to get the work done.
Meanwhile, we cannot use the kitchen, every day the water is spreading more and more and there are now flies everywhere (and the smell is terrible).
Can I legally deduct the rent for the number of weeks we have been without a kitchen? I need to pay rent for the second half of the year in August.


Jun 7, 2021
1198
الشركة المسؤولة عن إدارة العقار لا تصلح التلفيات. ما الحل؟

1
س: السلام عليكم،
لدي شقة في بناية تديرها شركة عقارية في دبي وأعاني من سوء الإدارة وسوء الخدمة؛ مثلاً عدم إصلاح سقف بين شقتين يؤدي إلى تسرُّب المياه إلى شقتي وتلف السقف. الشكوى لخدمة العملاء لم تفعل شيئًا.
هل يمكن رفع دعوى على الشركة؟ وأين يتم ذلك؟ وهل هناك طريقة للشكوى للإدارة العليا أو لدائرة الأراضي بدبي؟


Sep 13, 2022
895
How can I move out of an apartment without liability if the owner is not doing maintenance?
1
Q: We have 6 months to mature the contract. From the starting date, the building owner is not doing any maintenance, and wastewater is coming inside the house.
I want to cancel the contract and move to some other building. I have a child, how can I handle the owner?
I'm from Sharjah.

Nov 30, 2022
201
No A/C for a month, and maintenance hasn't fixed it. What to do?




2
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I have had no A/C for over a month, and there is a constant leak in my kitchen ceiling that has stripped away plaster and paint. Maintenance has come multiple times, but nothing has been sorted out.
I have taken several hours off of work for this. The A/C was cut off because the landlord has not registered or paid with Empower directly.
Is there anything I can do?





+1
Jan 29, 2024
98
Will a property management company be responsible for potential fire hazards in properties?




1
Q: Dear Lawyers,
Our company holds a property management license in Dubai, UAE. Recently, we entered into a management contract with the landlord of a certain building under our supervision.
It has come to our attention that there are "partition" housing units within the building. We are aware that these partitions exist and have identified them as potential fire hazards.
In the unfortunate event that a fire does break out, we seek clarification on the matter of responsibility. Specifically, we need to understand who would be held accountable and potentially face imprisonment under such circumstances.
Will our company be held responsible along with the managers under the license?
Your guidance on this matter would be greatly appreciated to ensure we are fully compliant with local regulations and take appropriate actions to mitigate any risks.





+2
Jun 27, 2024
93
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allWhat You Should Know While Renting a Property in the UAE 5
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.
Feb 24, 2020
3932
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
24287
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
7292
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
24950

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