Q: Earlier on this year one of the 25 foot Palm Trees in my garden was blown down in the high winds, luckily this Palm Tree did not hit the house or do any major damage. The reason for the tree blowing down was that the inside trunk had been eaten away by some kind of insects.At the time I raised my concern to the landlord that the other palm trees could be infected as well. A few weeks ago, I got the Palm Trees cleaned and one of the other trees has had half the trunk eaten away by insects. Now this tree could also potentially fall down in high winds.I have asked the Landlord if he could arrange for taking this tree down and remove it, but he says this is covered under garden maintenance and it is my responsibility.I must admit I was quite surprised that the Landlord took this attitude, as the tree could potentially fall on his property or the neighbours!Please let me know in cases for removals of trees from the garden, who is responsible for this, the Landlord or the tenant?

Q: Hi, my tenant is a company and has not paid the rent for past two months. I have filed a police complaint and eviction notice from the court. He keeps on saying he will pay every week but does not honour his deadlines. I do not wish to keep him as a tenant as this will always be a problem with him given his attitude and do not wish to waste my time. I want him to vacate even if he pays now. Please help.

Q: I’ve lost my job due to COVID-19. I am a school teacher. My school will open in September. I have a credit card with a bank. What legal action can I do? No means of paying them for the meantime.

Q: Dear Mam, Greetings! I would like to ask for your assistance with my situation. Our tenancy contract will end by today, April 30, 2020. I notified our landlord on April 1, 2020, that we will not renew the contract, as my husband lost his job and his employer didn't renew his employment contract due to this current situation COVID-19. Now, that we will vacate the flat, the manager of the landlord will not issue us NOC due to they asking us to pay 2000 for the security deposit, but the contract has already finished. Why are they asking me to pay for that amount? Nowadays, every single penny is very important. and we have limited resources due to my husband job loss. Are there any legal rights for that? Thank you. Appreciate your response.

Q: Hi, I have a property in Dubai. The lease expired end of February 2020, however, the tenant has not renewed the lease and is not paying me any rent. Also, the Dubai Government said I cannot give an eviction notice to tenants in March and April due to COVID-19. It's almost 3 months and now she says she is not getting paid by her job and she is making excuses for payment or renewal. Can I approach Dubai court now and send her a notice for nonpayment and eviction? Please advise. Thank you so much

Q: Our shop rent already expired on 01 March 2020. We didn't renew the contract as we have requested the landlord on 18 April 2020 to reduce the rent, but he is not ready to reduce. At this COVID-19 situation, we cannot afford this rent of AED 85000 for 29 Sqr Mtr. We informed the landlord on 18 April 20 only for non-renewal. So legally, how can we get out of this shop?

Q: The situation is bad because of Corona-virus. I couldn't pay the rent. Two bank cheques have bonused. I asked the shop owner many times to give some relief but he refused. He has filed a case against me in RDC. I have been paying rent since December 2017. I could not continue paying due to the circumstances. What should I do now?

س: السلام عليكم، اشتريت رخصة كوفي شوب من مالك الرخصة القديم وحررت عقد إيجار مع مالك العقار لمدة سنة في شهر ١١/٢٠٢٠. بسبب الكورونا والانشغال لم افتتحها والشيكات مع مالك العقار والحين يطالبني بمبلغ فوق مبلغ الشيكات وأيضًا بمبالغ مستحقة على مالك الرخصة القديم وأيضًا مبالغ إضافية من فترة انتهاء عقد الإيجار ولتاريخ اليوم. مع العلم أن المالك لم يقم يودع الشيكات في البنك ولم يحصل على شيك مرتجع وانقضى على تاريخ استحقاقها سبعة أشهر. هل يمكنه إيداع الشيكات أو فتح قضية ضدي؟ وشكرًا!

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.

As the world is currently experiencing a major lockdown and suspension of almost all commercial and civil operations, the question arises in the novelty of Coronavirus outbreak on how serious it is to be dealt with as a Force Majeure.

This article tries to explain the concept of Force Majeure and its application in residential tenancy contracts in the light of a recent RDC judgement.

An interview-format article covering the topic of rental disputes amidst COVID-19 in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

An interview-format article covering the topic of force majeure in the UAE, in light of COVID-19. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

An interview-format article covering the topic of COVID-19 in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

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.