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: I have rented an apartment to a Saudi national in Dubai with 4 cheques. My tenant's third cheque has bounced which was due on 20th November, and after repeated phone calls/messages and emails, he is unable to pay. He always asks for a few more days and then disappears. Currently, he is residing in Saudi and claims he cannot travel because of sickness. At the moment, his brother is using the apartment occasionally (it's a luxury furnished apartment attached to a hotel). Please advise what is the course of action and how long it will take?

Q: Hello, I'm an owner of an apartment in Dubai and my tenant is not paying rent. I have submitted the legal notice with the notary public and it's already due, until now, the tenant is saying that he will pay. I have one problem, the tenant is a male and I think he is out of the country, but all negotiations are with his wife and the cheque is given by his company. How can I evict them from my property? Please help.

س: عندما يحكم القاضي بأنه على المستأجر سداد كافة المترتبات الإيجارية حتى "تاريخ الإخلاء الفعلي"، هل يأخذ قسم التنفيذ تاريخ إصدار براءة الذمة على أنه تاريخ الإخلاء؟ مع العلم أن المستأجر قام بإخلاء المنزل قبل براءة الذمة بحوالي أسبوع ولكن المالك لم يكن على علم بذلك. وهل يحق للمالك احتساب أي مبالغ إيجارية بعد تاريخ براءة الذمة؟ أم أنه يتوقف تلقائيًا احتساب مبالغ إيجارية بعد تاريخ براءة الذمة؟ وجزاكم الله خيرًا!

س: أخلينا المنزل واستخرجنا براءة ذمة من الكهرباء والماء بتاريخ 15/8 ولم يُبلّغ المستأجر المالك أو المحكمة بأنه استخرج براءة الذمة. صدر حكم المحكمة بتاريخ 19/8 بالتالي: 1. على المستأجر الإخلاء فورًا. 2. على المستأجر سداد البدلات الإيجارية حتى تاريخ الإخلاء الفعلي. 3. يلزم المستأجر ببراءة الذمة من الكهرباء والماء والصرف الصحي حتى تاريخ الإخلاء الفعلي. فسؤالي هنا إذا تكرمتم: لا يوجد أي تواصل بين المستأجر والمالك منذ جلسات المحكمة ولم يقم المالك بتقديم طلب التنفيذ في البلدية والمالك لا يعلم حتى اللحظة بصدور براءة الذمة من الكهرباء والماء ولم يتواصل لاستلام مفتاح العقار. هل يترتب على المستأجر أي بدلات إيجارية إلى تاريخ تسليم المستأجر للمالك او البلدية براءة الذمة ومفتاح المنزل؟ أم أن البدلات الإيجارية تُحسَب فقط حتى تاريخ براءة الذمة بغض النظر عن علم المالك بصدورها؟

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.

An interview-format article covering the topic of residential retail properties pertaining to the liability for property maintenance and the repercussions of defaulting on rent payments 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. 

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.