Q: I have rented a hotel apartment from an agency who has a contract with a hotel apartment in the UAE. I hold an annual contract with the agency and I have paid the annual rent in advance. The hotel apartment has issued a check-in form by confirming my stay with this particular hotel apartment for 1 year. The hotel apartment also gave me a letter (family visa purpose) stating that I am one of their guests who is going to stay for 1 year. Now, there is some dispute with the agency and the hotel apartment and the agency are not reachable at all, and the hotel apartment tries to evacuate me. 1) Will the hotel apartment be able to evacuate me by law? 2) The agency still holds one cheque from me, can I stop it?

Q: Hi Ma'am, An agency that doesn't have a license for doing leasing/ property rental business (I came to know this today) has taken my money for providing me 6 months accommodation in a hotel apartment. They did not provide me with the accommodation and after a lot of efforts, I was able to get my partial money back. But the agency is not refunding my remaining amount and they are not opening their office nor responding to my call (they have blocked my number and don't respond to any new number). Can I file a case in the rental dispute centre and also claim compensation for all the trouble me and my family went through and the expenses incurred? They took AED 2000 cash, a cheque of AED 12500 dated 2nd may (which they used) and another cheque of AED 12500. After the police called them, they returned my 2nd unused cheque and AED 7000 in cash. I have AED 7500 refund pending. Kindly suggest. Thanks, S.

Q: Hi Madam, An agency has taken my money for providing me with 6 months of accommodation in a hotel apartment. They did not provide me with the accommodation and after a lot of efforts, I am able to get my partial money back. But the agency is not refunding my remaining amount and they are not opening their office nor responding to my call (they have blocked my number and don't respond to any new number). Can I file a case in the rental dispute centre and also claim compensation for all the trouble me and my family went through and the expenses incurred? They took AED 2000 cash, a cheque of AED 12500 dated 2nd may (which they used) and another cheque of AED 12500. After police called them, they returned my 2nd unused cheque and AED 7000 in cash. I have AED 7500 refund pending. Kindly suggest. Thanks, S.

Q: Hello! Tell me, please, is there a practice of assured shorthold tenancy in Dubai and the UAE? And how is it governed? Do the tenant rights differ in case of an assured shorthold tenancy (if there is such a practice)? Can the landlord increase the rent or evict in this case whenever he wants? Thank you in advance.

Q: Hi, As a landlord, can I rent out my villa in Dubai directly to clients for short-term stays via Booking.com, Airbnb, or directly? Will I need a DTCM certificate or is it not necessary? Can I receive an upfront payment for long stays or are there rules regarding payment plans? Thank you in advance!

The provisions of this Decree apply to all individuals and entities conducting the activity of leasing out holiday homes in the Emirate of Dubai, including special development zones and free zones. Conditions and requirements should be determined by the DTCM in coordination with the concerned entities.