Q: The landlord wants to provide us with a 12 months' notice to evict but has not provided a reason. We have advised him of the 4 reasons as per RERA in which he can do this and that he cannot rent the property to another tenant for 2 years if he proceeds with this. He has ignored this and now asked to inspect the property next week. Obviously, as he has given notice we have to allow this. Where do we stand in protecting ourselves? It is quite clear he wants us to leave as the rent in our area has increased significantly but the RERA calculator is not allowing any rental increase.

Q: I'm a landlord, and I have already served a notice of eviction to my tenant, 02 months ago, as per the proper process, i.e. through Dubai Notary. The reason was to sell the property. However, now, after 02 months, my situation has changed, and I no longer need to sell my property. In this case, can I go back to Notary and ask them to 'cancel' the already served eviction notice?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I need to give a 12 months eviction notice to my tenant but I don't live in the UAE. How can I do so online? Thank you

Q: Hello everyone, I have been given a 12 months eviction notice through notary public by my landlord in March 2022, in Dubai, stating selling the property as a reason. If the new landlord has no intention to move in or refurbish the property and wants to continue renting the property, am I as an existing tenant given the first right to continue residing in the property? Is the new landlord allowed to hike up the rent as per market conditions? Or does the RERA rental index calculator still applies in this case? Thanks in advance!

س: السلام عليكم، أملك فيلا في دبي لاند. أرسلت للمستأجر الحالي عن طريق كاتب العدل طلب إخلاء الفيلا بعد مرور 12 شهرًا لغرض بيعها خالية من المستأجر. في حالة عدم استجابة المستأجر للإنذار بعد 12 شهرًا من تاريخ التبليغ، ما العمل؟ شكرًا!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, My landlord wants to evict me from the property where I reside. They have not provided a court order for eviction within the past 12 months. Additionally, they are requesting a 40% increase in rent and are insisting on a 6-month fixed-term renewal, despite the RERA index indicating no such increase. Furthermore, they have included an unreasonable clause that prohibits pets, even though I have lived on the property with a pet for over three years.  What options do I have if I do not agree to these demands?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, My landlord gave me notice on plain paper last year when the lease was renewed. He wrote two reasons for eviction: one that he may sell the property and the other that he may move in. The eviction letter was signed by him only, but the property has two owners (husband and wife). This year, when he asked me to vacate the property, I informed him that, according to the RDC, the notice needs to be from a notary public or sent via registered mail. I then submitted an Offer and Deposit with the RDC, but the landlord didn't respond. The lease expired on May 10th. The landlord hasn't followed up with anything so far. According to RERA, the rental contract is automatically renewed unless terminated by the courts (for non-payment, eviction, etc.). What course of action should I take now? Should I send an email to the landlord with the cheques, mentioning they are ready since I already submitted the Offer and Deposit, or should I file a case? Or should I wait for the landlord to approach me or file a case?

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.

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.