Q: Hi, I have a query regarding a contract renewal. I have given notice by the notary public to my tenant to vacate my apartment. He is not agreeing on terms and conditions and is asking to have the same terms and conditions as the previous year's contract, for which I said that I will not sign the contract which contains renewal terms and conditions. (I told him 90 days before the current contract expiry date that I am not willing to renew and I will give the notice to vacate). So if I do not sign the contract and it gets renewed automatically, can my tenant challenge the notice by a notary public at the time of vacating the apartment? Thank you!

س: السلام عليكم، أنا مستأجر شقة في إمارة دبي واستلمت إيميل بتوقيع المالك قبل 90 يومًا من انتهاء العقد برغبة المالك في عدم التجديد. استلمت على الواتساب رسائل من المالك تسأل هل استلمت الاخطار. في ذلك الوقت كنت على علم أن مكان عملي سوف يتغير فلم أمانع الإخلاء ولم أقبله. بعد شهر، أرسل لي المالك إخطارًا جاهزًا للتوقيع مفاده أني طلبت عدم تجديد العقد. رفضت التوقيع ووضحت له أنني على استعداد لتجديد العقد وحاولت التواصل مع المالك لكن لم يستلم أي مكالمة من طرفي وتواصلت معه على الواتس بعدها بشهر ووضحت رغبتي في تجديد العقد. أجاب أنه لا يريد تجديد الإيجار وأننا على اتفاق علي عدم التجديد بالرغم من أنني لم اتفق على ذلك ولم أطلب عدم التجديد ولم أخبره بذلك. ما الوضع القانوني في هذه الحالة؟

Q: Dear sir/madam, I have confirmed to renew my apartment tenancy contract with my apartment's management team three months before the expiration date (as per the contract) via email, after which no renewal contract was signed. Now, one and a half months before the expiration date, can I decide not to renew the contract without any penalty? Is the written confirmation via email previously taken as legal in Dubai?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Is it possible for building management to suspend access to the building in the case of a non-renewed contract? Our rental contract in Dubai recently expired, and the building management has disabled our access cards for the main entrance, parking, and amenities such as the gym and pool. We have been in contact with the owner for at least one month prior to the contract's expiry to follow up on the renewal. The delay is due to the owner's end, and we have documented this through email. What steps can we take to ensure uninterrupted access to the building facilities?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I was overdue for my tenancy contract renewal; no one contacted me, and the contract expired 2 months ago. I have been living in this apartment for 2 years, and now the owner of the apartment wants to raise the price. I read that I had a grace period of 90 days to renew my contract, but the agency says that I only had 15 days. Who is right in this situation, and can I renew the contract at the old price?

Q: Dear Lawyers, Is it legal for a landlord in Sharjah to terminate your lease contract after only one month due to some tenants not liking the smell of your cooking? Additionally, is it legal for the notice to vacate to be only 25 days? Furthermore, can they charge you rent for the number of days until you provide SEWA Clearance? How can I lodge a complaint against this landlord in Sharjah?

Q: Dear Lawyers, If I am renewing my apartment contract for the first time but the owner increases the rent in Sharjah, what action can be taken?

Q: Dear Lawyers, As a tenant, I gave notice for non-renewal 60 days prior. However, circumstances have changed, and I now wish to renew the apartment contract during my notice period. My landlord is asking for 48K instead of the earlier offered 38K for renewal.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, We have a rental dispute with our office landlord. Our EJARI expired on October 19, 2024, and we intended to vacate. However, the landlord insisted on a 2-month notice, even though we had not requested a renewal after the EJARI expired. We agreed to provide an additional 2-month notice, but he demanded a 20% increase as per the RERA index. We refused, as we did not wish to renew the EJARI. Instead, we offered to pay and vacate, but he filed an eviction case with RERA. We are seeking advice on this matter.

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.