Q: Good evening. My son and husband have been harassed and bullied by a labour camp owner for delayed rent. We have paid him most of the debt by maximising our credit cards. We did not have enough to pay my son's 3000 Dhs outstanding balance. This camp owner has involved my son's employer and has humiliated and embarrassed my son and my husband's reputation. Even when we offered a payment plan which offers a monthly amount of 1000 Dhs until the debt is paid. And my husband has applied for a bank loan to pay the full amount (still in process). But the camp owner has gone and laid a police complaint against my son. After I telephonically spoke to police and explained the payment options they said we must pay 1000 Dhs by month's end. Now I got an email from camp stating that police told them I agree to pay the full amount in 3 days. If not, the camp will go lay a charge to have my son arrested for absconding from debt repayment. Please advise, I feel so sick of worry. Thank you.

Q: Dear Sir, We have paid an amount with Rent Dispute Committee (RDC) for a rent case, but supposedly there is the bounced cheque case still filed with police. Since we have paid based on the court order and paid in court, doesn't the cheque amount drop? Do we pay twice the same amount? Best regards

Q: Dear Madam, I am staying in Dubai. I had a rent bounced cheque due to the account being closed. I paid the bounced cheque amount in cash to the manager but he is absconding now and without giving me the receipt. Now the rental agency has opened up a case against me in the police. I am going to meet their lawyer. Need your advice on the correct procedures to follow in this case. How can I settle this dispute?

Q: Dubai Court of Execution ordered me to return a cheque. This cheque was issued in a civil transaction that is already annulled. Also, the cheque is already expired. But Court of Execution gave a Travel Ban against me until I return this cheque. The truth is that this cheque was issued in my name but given to real estate agent for safekeeping, the cheque was never handed to me, I don't have the cheque. How can I now remove the travel ban against me? Is it common for the Execution Court to issue a travel ban in such cases even though the Court did not make me financially or criminally liable for anything?

Q: Our office is going for a rental contract with a company (both the names on the contract are of companies). However, they want us to pay cheques in the name of an employee of the company (individual) as they have some problem with their company account. Is it legal to do so? And how can we safeguard ourselves? Best Regards

Q: Hi Sir/Madam. I was renting an apartment in Sharjah. My agreement has finished and I got a NOC from the landlord to cancel my flat. I canceled my municipality, SEWA and everything, and later my landlord filed a case against me in RDC. I showed all the cancellation papers to the judge and he said to show him the payment receipt, but I forgot to take it from the landlord. Now I don't know how to deal with this.

Q: Dear/Sir, I could not pay my rent for the last four months, but now, financially, I am able to pay. Just at that time, the landlord filed a case against me in Sharjah. Now, what should I do? Should I talk to the landlord directly, or should I see him in court, as he may also ask for expenses related to the case from 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.

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.