Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
7 available 7 • View allThe responsibility for maintenance of a flat damaged by a leak from another flat

3
Q: I've been having issues with my building management regarding a supposed leak from my flat damaging another property. I've contacted Rera with the following:
My building management is saying that there is a leak coming from my bathroom drain pipe which is damaging the below apartment. There is no leak inside my apartment. The only way to access the leak is to go through the below apartment's false ceiling as there is no possible way to access the drain pipe from my own apartment.
My building contract also does not mention anywhere that I would be responsible for paying for this kind of damage. I would like clarification on who is responsible! Also, the time that the leak was reported the flat was unoccupied.
Rera has replied that I am not responsible, however, the management company is still insisting.
Any ideas?


Dec 1, 2019
1693
Fixing damages to an apartment caused by water leakage when the tenant was absent
2
Q: Hi Raluca,
I'm facing a problem with my landlord and I hope you can assist me.
While I was away on business (for 5 days), the water heater tank in my apartment broke (through no fault of mine) and caused leakage damage to my apartment and two apartments below mine.
My landlord is saying that the cost of the damage caused (approx. AED 15,000) should be paid by me because I was absent from the apartment during the time of the leakage and thus responsible for it.
As you can imagine, I am contesting this. The lease states that the landlord is responsible for maintenance repairs of over AED 500, except where they are caused by the tenant.
If you could assist me, that would be much appreciated.

Mar 24, 2020
2190
Responsibility for the maintenance of defects in a rented apartment
1
Q: I live in a 4 bedroom apartment in Deira/Dubai.
3 out of the 4 bedrooms have sewage leakage problem somewhere in the ceiling and the smell is horrible. The landlord refuses to fix the problem even though my tenancy contract clearly states that he must fix on his expense.
To make the story short, After filing for a case against him at the RDC, It all went down to the police station where he refused to sign a paper that states his willingness to fix.
Next, a Dubai Municipality official visited the apartment and submitted a report to the Land Department confirming that the apartment smells very bad. All meanwhile I refused to pay any rent to pressure this landlord to fix.
So now 4 months have passed and the accumulated rent has built up to above AED 100,000. The landlord has filed a case to claim the rental amount.
What to do? And how can he file a case against me at the RDC without the RDC asking him to fix the apartment first?!
Can I refuse to pay this landlord? I think it is unfair to pay!

Jul 12, 2018
6506
Can the tenant exit the lease contract early after losing access to gas?
1
Q: There was a gas pipe explosion in our building and the whole floor is unhabitable.
So we are located on another floor, gas usage was cut and had to rely on electric plates which takes longer time to cook and there is the fear of fire if left unattended.
Gas will be reinstalled after 3 months and we wish to terminate the contract early because we cannot use the gas which is one of the facilities we agreed for in the contract and we feel unsafe in the building because every now and then the alarm goes on.
They gave us an option to move to their other buildings but will even be farther from work plus the transportation costs will increase.
Do we have to pay penalty charges for a situation that is not our doing? We are already having heart palpitations whenever there’s an alarm?

Oct 24, 2019
452
الشركة المسؤولة عن إدارة العقار لا تصلح التلفيات. ما الحل؟

1
س: السلام عليكم،
لدي شقة في بناية تديرها شركة عقارية في دبي وأعاني من سوء الإدارة وسوء الخدمة؛ مثلاً عدم إصلاح سقف بين شقتين يؤدي إلى تسرُّب المياه إلى شقتي وتلف السقف. الشكوى لخدمة العملاء لم تفعل شيئًا.
هل يمكن رفع دعوى على الشركة؟ وأين يتم ذلك؟ وهل هناك طريقة للشكوى للإدارة العليا أو لدائرة الأراضي بدبي؟


Sep 13, 2022
916
How can I oblige the landlord and building management to do maintenance for leakage?

2
Q: What are my options to take legal action against my apartment building for not fixing the constant issues that I am facing in my bathroom?
For over 2 months now, I have been fighting with them to get more hot water and to stop leaks in my bathroom that are caused by a bad water heater.
The building management has not been able to fix these issues and is now telling me to find my own technician and pay for another water heater. I know this is illegal.
Please help!


Mar 5, 2023
483
How can tenants pressure management to fix constant faulty fire alarms in the building?




1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
Constant faulty fire alarms during the night (between 3-6 alarms at a time) in a residential building, and management is not interested in finding a solution to fix or replace sensors.
Is there a way for tenants to pressure management so that our voices are heard?
Thanks!





Jul 3, 2024
228
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allWhat You Should Know While Renting a Property in the UAE 5
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.
Feb 24, 2020
3994

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Can the new owner of an apartment increase my rent if it is against RERA Index? 0
Hi
I'm a tenant of an apartment and a new owner has purchased the apartment. I would like to know:
1. Should I revise the Ejari by canceling the previous one and applying for a new one?
2. My current rent is 35% less than the current market value. Can the new owner change the rent as per the market value, or he still has to follow the RERA Index calculator for a new contract?
Nov 19, 2023
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I agreed with my landlord to increase the rent 10% I pay in cash. Should I insist on changing the contract? 0
I'm staying in JLT in a house with a rent of AED 140,000 per year. The lease starts on 1st Sep '23 and expires on 31st Aug '24.
The landlord sent me a legal notice from the Dubai Courts in mid-Sep '23, giving me 1-year notice to vacate the house as he plans to sell the house. The notice was received by me through email from the court.
He claims the email notice sent by the court is not valid till I receive it by courier via Aramex for my physical signature. Can you please confirm if this is true?
The landlord is now ready to let me stay in this house for two more years. He has proposed that we maintain the existing lease agreement and Ejari. However, I should pay him AED 14,000 in cash (10% increment).
We will sign a separate paper document wherein we will agree that I will further rent increase of 10% (10% on (140,000+14,000)) on 1st Sep'24 when my current lease expires.
Should I insist on making a fresh written contract with the higher rent (140,000+14,000=154,000)?
Nov 18, 2023
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Is it possible to terminate a labor contract before the end of the two-year term? 1
Hello.
I have been with my employer for 15 months, and my employment contract is for two years.
Is it possible to terminate the contract before the end of the two-year term?
Nov 24, 2023
149
I have signed Form F and got the mortgage but the seller is in breach. What to do? 1
Hi
I have signed the MOU Form F since July 2023 and we prepared all the papers and the loan from my end on 23/8/2023.
When I went to DLD for the transfer, the seller had registration issues and asked for some papers to be provided as the property is under the company not an individual.
Since that time, we have kept renewing the MOU every month in the hope of finalizing but I am not seeing any progress.
So I am asking about legal action as I already got a bank mortgage and started paying as well but not seeing any progress from the seller.
So I need to ask the following:
1. If my MOU expired on 20.11.2023, can I file a complaint on 20 or after a couple of days like 23?
2. What will happen in terms of 10%? Will it be returned and what about the fees paid to the bank like mortgage fees, evaluation, and cancellation of loan? Will the EMI payment be compensated by the seller?
3. What is your advice?
Thanks
Nov 16, 2023
928
Dubai landlord served eviction notice to tenant but now wants to revoke it 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
I own an apartment in Dubai and served the tenant a legal eviction notice through Dubai courts in March 2023. The reason for the eviction notice was that I was planning to move into the apartment.
However, my circumstances have changed, and the original tenancy contract end date is December 2023. The tenant has now requested a one-month extension of the contract until January 2024.
Can I revoke the eviction notice that I have already served?
Nov 13, 2023
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How to claim compensation after receiving a court judgment in my favor for a car accident? 0
Good day,
I need help, please. I was involved in an accident. I was run over by a car and I was not the guilty party.
Now, I have received the judgment order from the court.
How do I submit it to claim my compensation from the guilty party?
Thank you!
May 2, 2025
37
Is overtime applicable on work-from-home days under company’s policy? 0
Hello,
The company has a policy allowing employees to work from home once per week.
Now, employees are asking if overtime is applicable for those who work from home as well.
Could you please clarify?
Thank you!
May 2, 2025
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Can the landlord send me an eviction notice for non-payment despite submitting an offer and deposit at RDC? 0
I’ve lived in my building for over 4 years, with the most recent rent being AED 50,000. Each year, the management collects cheques and extra AED 2,400–2,500 cash (no receipt) for management and Ejari fees.
My contract was due for renewal on 15 Feb 2025, but management delayed, demanding a 10% rent increase even though no formal 90-day notice and the RERA index did not allow it.
After a month of excuses, the manager called on 12 March, insisted increase to 55K, and threatened eviction if I refused. When I referenced RDC, he hung up. The next day, he again made unprofessional remarks, so I decided to go with RDC.
I submitted my offer and deposit on 13th March, but the management didn’t respond. The case went to the judge on 14 April he ruled in my favor.
On 30 April, I applied for the execution of the ruling, and RDC says I can renew Ejari only on 8th May at DLD with cheques given to them.
However, on 1st May 2025, I received a notarized eviction notice for non-payment of rent and communication.
My question is, what will happen at DLD now?
May 2, 2025
18
Can I resign during the probation period without serving a three-month notice to take another job? 0
I am working in the private sector, and currently I am in the probation period. I got a government job, so I submitted a one-month resignation notice.
My current company rejected my one-month notice and ordered me to serve a three-month notice (as per the contract).
I enquired with One Time Centre, and as per their advice, after one month, I can stop work and register a complaint against my company.
For this matter, how will the UAE law help me to solve it?
May 2, 2025
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Can the employer force the housmaid to work for unlimited hours without rest? 0
Hi
I'm a nanny, and at the same time, I work as a housemaid (khadama) here in the house. I work, but as I know, the nannies and housemaids have different rights, and my employer doesn't give me rest.
My work starts at 7:30 am and then finishes at 10 pm or less. It depends on whether the baby is asleep or what time they will take on me if not yet asleep. Is this right?
Also, at the time of eating, I'm still working because the baby is with me, so I just let her sit in her chair. That's how I eat.
Please answer me. I want to know my rights.
Because if I can leave during the 6-month probation, I want to take it if the employer is this kind. I don't know.
They are also expats, but they don't follow the rules of the UAE regarding a housemaid.
May 1, 2025
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