Q: I am in the process of renewing my tenancy contract. It's already been 10 days since my last contract expired. However, I have asked the landlord for a grace period of 3 weeks to hand over the rent cheques (3) for the year. The landlord is threatening to evict me... please advise what I should do. I am in a financial situation and can pay only after 3 weeks. My family and children are with me.

Q: Hi I am a Landlord; the tenant has not paid rent for 4 months and he is refusing to leave. The tenant says he was never given a contract nor Ejari and the tenant gave me a cheque which was not valid due to the account being closed. He was supposed to bring a new chequebook but never did. I opened a case regarding bounced cheque and a notice of eviction last month but the tenant never left the house. My question is, can I bring the case to the court even if I never issued an Ejari nor a legal contract? Kindly advise because I don’t know what to do at this point. Thanks in advance

Q: Dear Mr Naser, My cheque returned due to insufficient funds. I received a text from my bank regarding bounced cheque and deposited funds to cover the amount and tried to reach my landlord, offered her cash delivery in an hour or bank transfer not to cause any inconvenience due to any delayed payment. She refused it. Next day, I received an email from her that she has proof from my bank that it bounced back due to insufficient funds (which is true) and wants to meet me with her lawyer and asks for AED 5,000 penalty. There's a clause added on my contract; "IN CASE OF ANY CHEQUE BOUNCE FOR ANY REASON, THE PENALTY WILL BE AED 5,000 PER CHEQUE & TENANCY CONTRACT WILL BE TERMINATED & SECURITY DEPOSIT WILL BE NON-REFUNDABLE". Is the added clause legal? Isn't it too harsh? I tried to find it on RERA or RDC but wasn't able to find info. I tried hard to pay them on the same day but they didn't accept. Looks like they are trying to benefit from the situation and making another AED 5k. Can you help me?

Q: This is the second time a cheque of my tenant is not honored for rent payment. My relationship with him is not good. Can I evict him? I need my property back. What is the best way to get it back?

Q: Hi, My landlord left the UAE for a long time. We are about to rent for a new additional year, but the agent is asking to pay in cash and he will give us the cheque back with receipts. Is there any issue or something to worry about?

س: السلام عليكم، أسكن خارج الإمارات ولدي مستأجر لا يدفع الإيجار منذ 5 أشهر. ما طريقة التعامل معه؟ وهل يمكن عمل وكالة للمحامي من خارج الإمارات؟ وكيف؟

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, My friend has been a tenant in an apartment for over 20 years and has maintained a clean record. However, he was unable to return to Dubai due to circumstances beyond his control, including lockdown measures, flight cancellations, travel restrictions, and health concerns. His visa also expired during the lockdown period. Despite his absence, the landlord filed a case against him at the Rental Disputes Center (RDC), and a judgment was passed. I would like to know if it is lawful for the landlord to take such action while he was away.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, How should a 12-month eviction notice be sent to a tenant? I am overseas as the landlord and am wondering what the most convenient way is.

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.

With the introduction of the new procedures for obtaining a power of attorney (POA) remotely in the UAE, after it was mandatory to appear in person in front of the notary public as a global rule to ensure the identity and intention of the person requesting a POA, we put between your hands this brief guide for how you get it done.

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.

This Law promulgates the Federal Penal Code (Criminal Law) of the United Arab Emirates. Crimes and chastisement punishments shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other penal codes.

The provisions of this Decree by Law amend the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 by replacing Clause (4) of Article (379) as well as Articles (600), (617), (641), (642), (643), (644), and adding new articles numbered (635) Bis, (641) Bis (1), (641) Bis (2), (641) Bis (3), (641) Bis (4), (643) Bis (1), (643) Bis (2), (644) Bis (1) and (644) Bis (2). The Decree-Law also repeals Articles (401), (402) and (403) of the Federal Law No. (3) of 1987.