Q: Hi, I am the landlord, my tenant wants to terminate the contract but he has already paid the rental amount in advance as per the contract. Now that he wants to terminate the contract do I have to reimburse him his money or I am not obliged to legally?

Q: Our tenant has requested an early termination of their contract on our property in Dubai. The agreement provides for a penalty of two months on early termination. However, the real estate agent managing the property on our behalf is unwilling to pursue this with the tenant. Further, they are refusing to give us a pro-rata refund of the management fee. How can we enforce the contract with the tenant in regards to the early termination penalty and what rights do we have to recover a proportion of the management fee?

Q: Sir, I have taken an office in Dubai for three years starting from 1st April 2015 to 31st March 2018. Due to slow business conditions, I am forced to reduce expenses and planning to vacate current office and move to a smaller one. Unfortunately, there is no early termination clause in the lease agreement. Please advise what is the penalty in such cases as per government law. Thanking You, Kind Regards.... Kuttan

Q: I have served notice on my rental property in Dubai. The early termination clause states that I must give 30 days notice and pay 2 months penalty rent. Is the 2 months penalty consecutive to the notice period or is it concurrent with it? Appreciate any advice.

س: هل توجد غرامة يجب دفعها عند الرغبة في عدم استئجار وحدة سكنية بعد توقيع العقد؟ علمًا بأن تاريخ العقد لم يبدأ بعد وتم إبلاغ المالك في خلال 12 ساعة؛ وذلك لأن المالك يرفض إرجاع الشيكات إلا بعد دفع شهرين من قيمة الإيجار كما أنه لم يتم استلام أصل العقد ولا الوحدة.

Q: When should I inform the landlord regarding vacating the flat per law?

Q: I have a tenant in JBR for many years who is paying rent in 2 payments. The 2nd payment was due 1/3/18 but he delayed it and has now sent me the payment for only 4 months, as he wants to leave at end of June as per the clause below. The contract states: 6. If the tenant would like to terminate the tenancy agreement prior to the contract end date, three months written notice must be given by the tenant and the tenant will be required to pay the equivalent of one month's rent as compensation to the landlord with all remaining rent returned to the tenant. 7. If clause 6 is invoked, the tenant will be refunded his/her remaining rent (excluding the one-month penalty) and the security deposit depending on a move-out inspection report of the property. My point is that he should have paid the full 6 months rent installments on the 1st of March and he would have received a refund of only 1 month after moving out. Do I have any grounds to take action against him?

س: السلام عليكم، اشتريت شقة في الشارقة وفيها مستأجِر. هل أستطيع إخلائه مع انتهاء عقده السنوي دون الالتزام بشرط أن يبقى مستاجرًا لمدة ثلاث سنوات على الأقل قبل أن أستطيع استرداد الشقة؟

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.

I believe that there is a similarity between medicine and law, and just as there is a way to ask a question to a doctor to get the most accurate and correct answers from him, which ultimately helps you receive the correct diagnosis, and therefore the correct treatment, there is a way to ask a lawyer.

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.