Q: My landlord is requesting me to leave the apartment at the end of tenancy period which is in 3 months. He hasn't requested this formally, I mean he only sent an email. Can this be counted? I do not want to leave as I know the reason he wants me to evict is that he wants to increase the rent on the new tenant since I have been for quite some time.

Q: Hi, We just moved into the apartment (just over a month) and now the landlord says that he had put up the property for sale and rent since 8 months ago, which we were not notified of by both the agent and the landlord. Considering we had plans to stay for long-term, we have had spent a significant amount on the furniture and the interiors. Now, I have been getting calls for viewings, so please help me understand: 1) Can I prohibit the access of the landlord for the viewing? 2) Can I withdraw from the contract and claim all my expenses after deducting for the days stayed, including the agent fees?

Q: Dears, I am living in an apartment in Palm Jumeirah. The average price is around 250,000AED, I have rented it for 2 years at 140,000 (this year I renewed at 147,000 AED). At renewal, it was clear that the landlord is very frustrated that I'm renting it lower than the market average. So, as expected, she sent a legal (from the court) notice asking me to free the apartment at the end of this year, which is 12 months from now, August 2023. In the notice, she says that she wants to sell the apartment, but I'm 100% sure she just wants to get me out and rent it again at a higher price. I am very much interested to stay in the apartment for 1 more year; until early 2024, or to renew for 1 more year, but as per the notice, we need to leave by Aug 2023. I am willing to go to court if there is anything I can do. Thank you very much!

Q: Dear sir/madam, I bought a villa which is rented. The tenant refuses to update the Ejari in my name. What are my rights as a landlord?

Q: Hello, I am a landlord in Dubai and I wish to send a 12-month legal eviction notice to my tenant for my intention to sell my property after the 12-month eviction notice. My question is: If after putting my property on the market for sale I don't manage to sell it and I decide to rent it out again, can my tenant take any legal action against me or ask for any compensation? Will they be entitled to that?

Q: Dear sir/madam, I have been asked by the landlord to leave the property by the end of the contract and he doesn't want to renew it. He is going to sell the apartment. I confirmed over email that I will start looking for an apartment on the due dates. The property suits me for my kids' school and I cannot move away from the location. Upon checking into the area, there is not a single apartment available that can suit my requirements. 1. What happens if I want more time after the tenancy period expiry to look for an apartment? 2. Since it was 2 months' notice, can I ask the landlord to renew for this year or extend the current tenancy? 3. Can the landlord force me to terminate and avoid renewal?

Q: Hi, Our rental contract ends on June 2023, but in November 2022, we were officially served eviction through Dubai courts stating we need to vacate the property by November 2023. The landlord is planning to sell the property. What happens in terms of the contract for the time period of June to November 2023? Does the current landlord extend the current contract until the end of the eviction? What is the process? I did contact RERA but did not receive any information over the phone. Thanks!

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 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.

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 determines the maximum percentage of rent increase for real property in the Emirate of Dubai when renewing lease contracts.