Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
8 available 8 • View allLiability for property maintenance costs at the end of lease
1
Q: Dear,
Last year, 28th September 2017 to be exact, we rented 1 BHK Flat in Bur Dubai. The flat is old and since we required it on an urgent basis, we took the flat with unfixed things.
We as the tenant fixed whatever is needed (bathroom door, kitchen cabinets, bathroom ceiling...etc.). We decided not to renew the contract due to the maintenance issues we had encountered.
Now, the real state agent is asking us to pay the maintenance which quoted me for AED3500/- (kitchen and toilet ceiling change, full flat ceiling change, light change, switch change, kitchen exhaust fan change, all cleaning, shower pipe change, cabinet hinges repair, all materials and labours).
Do we really need to pay for this maintenance?
Please advice.
Highly appreciate your immediate answer.
Thanks & regards,

Oct 5, 2018
1652
Tenant's right to deduct property maintenance from the rent

2
Q: I have a tenant with an expired contract. I agreed to have a new contract for this year but I did not sign with him yet. He was 35 days late to pay the first 50% of the rent.
Our agreement with him that he pays maintenance, but he deducted AED 40,000 from the rent because he said he changed the door latch and main circuit barker.
I objected and demanded my money for the full rent (he paid 8,000 and he deducted 40,000). I want my full payment.


Aug 6, 2019
2189
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
Is the tenant responsible for the high electricity bills from a faulty chiller unit?
1
Q: Dear Sirs,
I am facing a serious issue with regards to the chiller unit of my flat. I stay in Ajman in a 2-bedroom flat in a tower owned by a real estate company and the flat owner is an expatriate.
My cooling bill from the real estate company is coming abnormally high even when we didn't use it during the winter the chiller charges keep on coming.
So when I contacted the real estate company they send a technician and checked and told me the issue is with the units installed inside the flat not outside and it's not their responsibility.
Then I contacted the flat owner who sent technicians and found some faulty components and replaced them.
Now I have incurred a total cooling bill of more than AED 8000 from the real estate company, which was just due to the faulty components of the AC parts installed inside the flat.
Am I liable to pay this amount?
Both the real estate company and the flat owner refused to take responsibility.
Kindly guide me on what options I have.
V. C. T.

Mar 17, 2022
324
Canceling a tenancy contract because the villa is not in a good condition
2
Q: Dear sir/madam,
I have an inquiry regarding my current new rent contract situation.
I have a signed rental contract for a villa, with a move date of 1st of July.
Upon inspecting the empty villa after prior tenants have vacated, we've informed the landlord of broken door and window handles which is a security hazard, and many fixes of broken tiles, ceiling cracks, and paintwork to fix water-damaged spots.
We have not received any response from the landlord, which would constitute a breach in the contract of clause 3 & clause 20 of the contract addendum.
In the case of breaching contract terms before the move-in date started on the contract (first of July) for the above-mentioned issues that include safety and security hazards, I would not be comfortable to move in with my family in such conditions.
What would be my rights to cancel this contract? Would there be a penalty on the landlord for not honoring the contract terms?
Thank you in advance!

Jun 27, 2022
306
Can I terminate the tenancy contract after finding damages in the villa?
1
Q: Dear Rajasree,
I have an inquiry regarding my current new rent contract situation. I have a signed rental contract for a villa, with a move date of 1st of July.
Upon inspecting the empty villa after the previous tenants vacated, we've informed the landlord of the broken door and window handles (which is a security hazard), many fixes of broken tiles, ceiling cracks, and paintwork to fix water-damaged spots.
We have not received any response from the landlord, which would constitute a breach in the contract of clause 3 & clause 20 of the contract addendum.
In the case of breaching contract terms before the move-in date stated on the contract (first of July) for the above-mentioned issues that include safety and security hazards, I would not be comfortable moving in with my family in such conditions.
What would be my rights to cancel this contract?
Would there be a penalty on the landlord for not honoring the contract terms?
Thank you.

Jun 28, 2022
253
Filing a case with RERA to get the deposit that the landlord used to paint the villa?


1
Q: Hi,
My landlord will not refund my AED 4,500 deposit for my rented villa, because he claims it was used to paint it, as per the request of the new tenant.
I lived in the villa for less than 10 months, I left it in great condition and my contract doesn’t state I have to paint it upon the end of the contract.
All the contract says is that the rental is bound by law 26 of 2007, in which article 21 states that normal wear and tear is acceptable.
Initially, I was informed by the agent that the villa is in great condition and I will get all my deposit back. Then the landlord changed agent and the new agent claims that it is their practice to paint the properties before a new tenant moves in, irrespective of the terms of the contract.
Should I file a case with RERA to get my deposit back?



Nov 21, 2022
670
Unfair maintenance charges for vacated apartment - What to do?

2
Q:
Dear Sir/Madam,
We vacated our 1 BHK apartment after a year. Recently, we received an email from the management regarding maintenance charges of AED 5812. The details show pictures of almost everything in the house that are not damaged.
They have mentioned that they need to replace everything with new items, including the toilet paper handle, shower cap, shower head, valve, soap handle, and so on.
When we asked the management why they needed to replace these items, they simply responded by saying that Dubai properties are expensive and they are very strict.
However, they could not provide a reason as to why these items needed to be replaced when they were not damaged. They only said that new items are given to new tenants, and the same would happen to the next tenant as well.
We have disputed these charges, but the management responded by saying that they do not have a dispute team and we are required to pay the full amount.
We had requested them to inform us during the inspection, but they failed to notify us and conducted the inspection without our knowledge.


Apr 15, 2023
221
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
3993
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allLaw No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 12
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.
Nov 26, 2007
24349
Decree No. (26) of 2013 Concerning the Rent Disputes Settlement Centre in the Emirate of Dubai 0
This Decree establishes a specialised judicial system to hear rent disputes and develops the procedure for determination of such disputes through an expeditious and simple process for the purpose of realising social and economic stability for all persons involved with the real property rental and other related sectors.
Sep 18, 2013
7320
Law No. (33) of 2008 Amending Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 8
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.
Dec 1, 2008
25072

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