Q: Dear Sir, We have a tenancy contract from January this year for a villa in Springs. The rent was to be paid in 2 cheques, out of which we have paid one and the 2nd cheque was dishonoured due to financial trouble. My husband is currently in custody for some bank related case and my son is on his own at the house. The landlord sent us 30 days' notice through notary that expired yesterday. Can the landlord evict us from the property because we are not in a situation to pay till my husband is out of the legal trouble? We have applied for his bail but the landlord is not ready to cooperate. What is the process for them to get the house evicted because our intention is to pay them but we need some time? Can you guide us, please? The problem is every other day the landlord comes and harasses my son by knocking on the door and calling every day.

Q: 3 years ago I issued 2 cheques to the landlord as a guarantee for flats taken. Then I lost my job and failed to pay some rents. He filed a criminal case using the blank guarantee cheque from me (Landlord put amount AED 270k). In addition, the landlord filed a case with the Rent Dispute Center. Since I am now overstaying for almost 3 years, I wanted to avail the amnesty by surrendering to police and facing 2 criminal cases. Once the case has been forwarded to court with a 1-year jail term, what will happen to me if I surrender to the police? Can I appeal to court the 1-year jail term through hiring a lawyer and paying fines? Will I be banned because of the case/complaint with the Rent Dispute Center? Is the civil case different from the above-mentioned cases filed against me? Will I pay extra for overstaying, even if the cause is because of the criminal cases filed against me? What are the steps or action to be taken to resolve the problem? Please help

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.

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.

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.

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.