Q: My tenancy contract specifies that "In the event of early termination, Tenant shall have to serve two-month written notice prior to the vacating date and to pay two months rent as a penalty to the landlord and the remaining balance to be refunded". Based on that, please advise if during the two months notice I can stay in the property and paying those two months rent (which are effectively already paid) are the penalty or if after the two months notice an additional two months rent should be paid as a penalty? Thank you

Q: Hi. I am a tenant and gave notice to my landlord on 3rd July 2017. The contract was for 12 months starting March 2017 but had the following provisions: "The Parties agree that there may be instances where the Tenant shall need to terminate the lease early, and in accordance with current guidelines the Tenant will give a two-month notice and two-month rent penalty in the case of immediate vacation." The landlord did not come to the pre-agreed date of vacating the premises on the 7th of September because I refused to pay him the two-month penalty, although I had already given him over 2 months notice. He is saying I have to pay him the additional 2 months even though I read it as only payable if I vacated immediately.

Q: Dear Sir/Ma'am, I have rented a studio in Discovery Gardens, it was for 3 cheques and the tenancy contract started on Jan. 11, 2018. My first cheque was paid to cover the period until May 11, 2018. My issue is I am getting another job outside the UAE and I plan to vacate and terminate the contract on March 11, 2018. My question is, can I still get the remaining amount of 2 months or it can be used as a penalty for breaching the contract? Thanks, I will highly appreciate your opinion.

Q: I have rented my villa to an Emirati person. The contract was from Nov 2019 to Nov 2020, but she vacated the villa on Feb 2020. As per the contract "If the tenant wishes to terminate the contract prior to the expiration, the tenant must give two months written notice to the landlord and the landlord will charge the tenant 2 months rent from the date of vacating the property as a penalty". I had a Cheque dated 28/02/2020 and a cheque of security deposit. I presented both but they are bounced. What is the next step? Kindly advice!

Q: Dear sir/madam, My tenancy contract expires on 17.07. 2020. On 22.12.2019, I emailed the owner with a termination of the contract to be on 31.03.2020. The contract says: The Lessee may terminate Contract and vacate Premises following the Labor's written consent and upon Lessee agreeing the following: (a) Provide at least two months written notice to the Lessor prior to the expiry of the Term of its intention to vacate the Premises where such notice once served cannot be retracted unless the Lessor provides its written consent; (b) Settlement of the Lessors administration fee currently in force for breaking the Contract prior to the expiry of the Term, subject to the Lessor's approval. The Lessor is not obliged to refund to the Lessee any difference in rent in case of an early break of the Contract. The owner says that this notice period is applicable only to non-renewal, not early termination so either to pay penalty or complete till 16.07.2020. Is this true? Is there a limit to the penalty to 2 or 3 months or can they ask for more?

Q: Hi, Can I get 6 months tenancy contract for an unfurnished property in Dubai? Also, can I get all utility connections for the same period?

Q: I want to do early cancellation of my tenancy contract in Sharjah. When I approached my real estate, they said that as per the rules, the contract is valid for one year so it cannot be canceled. Please advise how to approach the real estate team for cancellation.

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.