Early termination of tenancy contract in Dubai

Kindly note that Dubai rental law which regulates the relationship between landlords and tenants does not provide an article for early contract termination. So if you want to terminate your contract early, you have to check the exit clauses or penalties mentioned for breaking your tenancy contract.

Please note that if your tenancy contract lack an exit clause, the landlord is not obliged by law to let you off easily and accordingly he might demand a two-month rent as a penalty fee (same happened in your situation).

Accordingly, the two months that your landlord requested you to pay is considered as a compensation for him for the losses that may incur to him due to your failure to comply with the initial rental period and therefore you are not entitled to stay at the premises during this period.

I highly advise you to approach your landlord and try to negotiate the exit deal with him and explain your situation in order to reach a solution which suits both parties. You can also offer to find him another tenant before you leave, in which case he wouldn’t be at loss.

Good luck. If you wish to have any further clarifications, you are welcome to contact me.