Q: Hi, My rental contract expires in December 2016, however, since I can't afford the rent I am giving my two months notice to vacate the place by September 2016 paying 2 months rent. However, the landlord tells me that I can't stay in the place during my notice period and I still have to pay rent for 2 months. Please advise.

Q: I have paid three cheques up until the end of November 2017 when it is being demolished. I need to move out into staff accommodation in August when the next cheque is due. The relationship with the landlord company is not great. I have had 4 cheques bounce. 2 - my fault, 2 - theirs. I am being charged 8 thousand for this which I will pay. They have however not kept the swimming pool clean. I have many emails with photos showing the green pool and requests for it to be kept clean. Can I terminate the contract as they are not keeping it clean?

Q: We have still 7 months left on our tenancy contract but the property has too many issues and in one room the ceiling has fallen down due to leaks. Is there any way we can break the contract and receive the rent for remaining months and our security deposit back? Thanks for the advice.

Q: Hello Mrs Khan I have a situation here, I have to take a flat on rent and the rent was agreed to be paid in 6 Instalments. So I made the first instalment in cash and rest with post-dated cheques along with a security deposit cheque. Now, the situation has arisen that the landlord has not signed the contract because of some court case on the building and I have not the received the flat as promised. Can I cancel my cheques with expecting any actions to be taken against me as I have not received the flat as agreed, and should I lodge a police complaint? Is there any other action that needs to be taken? Thanks Anuj

Q: I signed my tenancy contract on Thursday. I went and did the snagging afterwards and I found out that there is fungus in the fridge. The bathroom roof is broken (as in it can fall on my head), the a/c ducts are full of dust which are hazardous and lots of more comments. I didn't move in nor did I connect DEWA. Can I terminate the contract?

Q: I would like to cancel my tenancy contract which is valid until 30 Jan 2021 without any notice as the central AC of the building is damaged and the room temperature inside my apartment is over 33 degrees C. It has been like this for over 2 months. Some days the humidity is over 70%. Other flats in the building have a fixed temp of 25 degrees C but the AC controls don't work for anyone. A team did temp repair after rigorous office visits but these works last for less than 1 week only. The advance of my annual rent has been paid until 30 September 2020 and the next/ last cheque is due on 01 October. Contract expiry is 30 Jan 2021. The real estate company is neither willing to repair nor willing to refund my advance paid as well return the cheque which is due in October and has never responded to my phone and several emails sent. I have several emails sent about this problem (in the English Language). What are my options? What proof would be required?

Q: There was a gas pipe explosion in our building and the whole floor is unhabitable. So we are located on another floor, gas usage was cut and had to rely on electric plates which takes longer time to cook and there is the fear of fire if left unattended. Gas will be reinstalled after 3 months and we wish to terminate the contract early because we cannot use the gas which is one of the facilities we agreed for in the contract and we feel unsafe in the building because every now and then the alarm goes on. They gave us an option to move to their other buildings but will even be farther from work plus the transportation costs will increase. Do we have to pay penalty charges for a situation that is not our doing? We are already having heart palpitations whenever there’s an alarm?

Q: Good day. I have signed a tenancy agreement via agent for the townhouse to rent in Abu Dhabi on 24 June with a start date of rental on 1st July. Repairs/Repaint works from the previous tenant were yet to be completed by the landlord and are confirmed by the agent that will be finished in a few days' time. I have paid a deposit, agency fees, and 1st payment for 6 months. I received keys on 2nd July and found the rented unit without any significant repairs/repaints done. I returned the keys of the property on the same day to the agent and asked to contact the owner to correct all deficiencies prior to moving. I'm concerned that nothing will be done to resolve this issue promptly (I understand that the key is still not collected from the agent by the landlord so works have not been started yet). What can I do in this situation? What is the process if I want to terminate the contract and receive my money back for the deposit and 1 payment (as well as agency payments)? Thank you RG

Q: Hi there. I have taken a villa for rent in Mirdif, Dubai, and the owner handed over the property in an unlivable condition. So I didn't want to stay in the property and wanted to end the contract. For now, the last rent cheque bounced and I am concerned that the landlord might file a case. I need legal help with the same.

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.