Q: Dear lawyers, I would like to ask you for an advice on my situation with the tenant. At the time of signing the contract we agreed to 3 cheques payment, but started defaulting. Now he is paying monthly.How can I change this situation? Can I also increase the rent in this circumstances? Or ask the tenant to vacate the property without one year notice? Thanks and regards.

Q: Dear lawyers, We need your help. I and my home mate are working in the same airline company as air hostesses and we are renting an apartment together. We are not flying as it used to be before, because of the coronavirus crisis which means that we are not paid for flying hours and in addition to that, our basic salary is officially deducted by 40%, effective from 1st April. We are now in a critical situation. We are not able to afford our rent due to force majeure and an unexpected situation. We shared this situation with our landlord, however, he is not showing any goodwill; either for reducing the rental fee or letting us check out from the apartment without penalty (he is basically asking for 1-month notice + 2 months early check out penalty). I can prove that the latest salary that I will get will be evidence of our situation. Can you help us with legal advice if we can check out without paying any penalty? Your support will be appreciated. Our kind regards,

Q: I am staying in a rented apartment in Ajman since September last year. During September 2020 the landlord agreed to renew the rent agreement for a further period of one year with a reduced annual rent amount. Accordingly, both of us signed the application format of Ajman Municipality for renewal of tenancy agreement. Apparently, the landlord failed to authenticate the tenancy contract from Ajman Municipality. According to him his online account with the Municipality could not be accessed as it was locked and he is communicating with them through emails as the landlord currently stays abroad. My question is that, is it legal to continue in a rented flat in Ajman without Municipality Authentication? First-year tenancy contract was duly authenticated by Municipality which expired in Sept 2020. Are there any consequences to continue in the same flat without authentication?

The relationship between tenants and landlords is regulated in Dubai by Law No. 33 of 2008 Concerning the Relationship Between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai. The arising rental disputes are referred to Rental Disputes Settlement Centre (“RDSC”) created by Decree No. 26 of 2013 to reconcile between the parties and reach an amicable settlement or seek a final judgment issued and enforced by the RDSC.

This Decree determines the maximum percentage of rent increase for real property in the Emirate of Dubai when renewing lease contracts.