Q: My tenancy contract, drawn under the land department of Dubai, expires on 24th of November. I wish to extend it for 2 months. The landlord says we can only renew for a year but is open to options as long as they are legal. Is it true that I cannot make a new contract with my landlord for 2 months? If I am forced to make a new contract for a year, can I have the 'premature termination penalty' clause removed? (So I can give 2 months notice as soon as I enter into the contract and not have to pay a penalty).

Q: Dear Sir/ Mam, I am staying in Sharjah. We stayed in the same flat for the last 2 years. Our contract is ended on May 5th. But as we are migrating to another country we requested our landlord to stay here till June end 2 months back. He agreed to the same at that time. Now he is asking to give 3 months more rent from June as a penalty to settle the things. Our contract already finished now. Please advice what to do as we are not in a good financial position to give 3-month rent without staying.

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: Hello, This is an inquiry related to rental renewal. I currently rent a 5 bedroom villa from a real estate company where I pay AED 192,500 and it is up for renewal on April 30. As per RERA calculator, the range for 5 bedroom townhouse/Villa is 140k to 170K, thus it indicates no increase. As per search portals, there is a big price range for similar villas, 220K to 300k+. I have given my legal notice for my intention to renew as per RERA calculator and my landlord has also given notice for renewal but indicating that it will be at a much higher rent, roughly above 250k; a 30%+ increase. I would like to resolve this amicably, but there is a big gap between our own expectations. As per law, what are my next steps? Sincerely,

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.

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.

The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.