Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
8 available 8 • View allResponsibility for a rented apartment maintenance in case of water leak
2
Q: We have a leak from our kitchen tap, the whole tap needs replacing. I have a bucket catching the water which is about 3 inches every day.
I have reported to the landlady and they sent somebody out, but she is not authorising the repair. It is a month now, what are my rights?
Feb 10, 2021
1916
The 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
1690
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
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
254
How can I cancel the rent of my apartment because of maintenance that the owner refuses to do?



1
Q: I have an apartment tenancy contract. It started only one month ago.
My apartment owner is not doing maintenance work. My first water bill was a big amount. Finally, I found an internal water leaking problem.
Every day my family faces a different problem. I need to cancel this for our safety. But they ask for 3 months' payment.
Please help me
Dec 6, 2023
241
No A/C for a month, and maintenance hasn't fixed it. What to do?




2
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I have had no A/C for over a month, and there is a constant leak in my kitchen ceiling that has stripped away plaster and paint. Maintenance has come multiple times, but nothing has been sorted out.
I have taken several hours off of work for this. The A/C was cut off because the landlord has not registered or paid with Empower directly.
Is there anything I can do?
+1
Jan 29, 2024
116
Can I sue for damages due to the landlord's maintenance negligence?




1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I rented a unit through an agency leasing on behalf of the landlord, and I don’t have the landlord’s contact details. Two months ago, I noticed a leak in the unit and reported it to the agency via their portal.
Despite this, I received no response. I also sent emails, and the only reply I received was that they are waiting for the landlord’s approval to fix the leak.
Since then, the leak has spread throughout the walls, causing insect infestations despite my efforts to hire pest control. Can I sue for compensation for the following:
1. Pest control costs
2. Increased DEWA (utility) bills
3. Inconvenience and discomfort
4. Loss of use
+2
Jun 4, 2024
232
What are a tenant's rights if the landlord fails to carry out necessary maintenance?




1
Q: Hello,
In the UAE, what are a tenant's rights if the landlord fails to carry out necessary maintenance on the property?
+1
Jan 20, 2025
180
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
24350
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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Other answers by
Can a debt agency access AECB reports without consent for a 15-year-old closed case? 0
Dear Respected Lawyers,
Subject: Request for Legal Advice Regarding Unlawful Practices by a Debt Collection Agency
I would greatly appreciate your advice and guidance regarding a troubling issue my colleague is facing with a collection agency.
The company has been contacting the employer, urging them to ask my colleague to get in touch with them regarding a supposed liability.
This claim is related to a 15-year-old closed dispute with a bank credit card, and the issue seems to stem from outdated and inaccurate information on the AECB report.
Our main concerns are as follows:
Unauthorized Access: The company is accessing her AECB report without her consent. She has never given permission for them to retrieve or view her personal financial information.
How is it possible for a third-party agency to openly access and track AECB reports, especially for a dispute that was resolved 15 years ago?
Apr 8, 2025
113
I was evicted from my apartment to be sold but it was gifted and rented at a higher price. What can I do? 0
I was evicted from my apartment after living there for five years. My landlord informed me a year in advance that the lease would not be renewed because he intended to sell the property.
Prior to this, he attempted to impose a rent increase that was not compliant with RERA regulations, which I refused to accept. He then served me with an official Dubai Court eviction notice, citing the need to take back the property for sale.
Five months after I moved out, I discovered the property was rented out at a much higher price. Upon further investigation, I found that the ownership was transferred as a "Gift" rather than a sale.
This makes it seem like the eviction was only to raise the rent rather than a genuine need to sell.
Do I have a valid case for wrongful eviction against my landlord?
Also, under Dubai law, does transferring ownership as a "Gift" hold the same legal grounds as selling in justifying eviction?
Dec 18, 2024
114
Can I file a case for cyberbullying or defamation after my ex-wife's abusive messages? 1
Hello,
My ex-wife has abused me in chat and called me the following: illiterate, beggar, and said that I don’t have [------].
She called me a bad parent and a bad son.
Can I file a cyberbullying, defamation, or abuse case against her? What are my options?
Jan 3, 2025
136
I invested money in a business but my partner is removing me out from partnership. Can I pursue legal action? 0
Hi
I'm an Irish citizen and a resident of the United Kingdom. I got investment fraud in Dubai. I invested money into a business with a Pakistani national guy in March 2024 via bank transfer into his business account.
Now he's giving back the money which I invested in business after 9 months. He's preparing a letter from a local lawyer to kick me out of the business. I do not have any other option than to take out at least my money.
But it's unfair to me that he used my money in business and took all the advantage.
Some people say to me that if you claim money or take legal action against him, it will take too much time and I need to travel to Dubai to appear in court because it is a civil matter. But I'm not a resident.
How can I follow the civil case there?
That's why my partner knows that I can not do anything and this case keeps running long time and in the end nothing happens. But I'm thinking that I will submit a complaint through my embassy and I also have a solicitor in the United Kingdom.
Dec 24, 2024
72
Seeking justice and compensation for wife's loss due to medical negligence during childbirth 1
Dear Lawyers,
My relative lost his wife during childbirth due to clear medical negligence, as stated in the report from the DHA medical committee.
He had to relocate to India due to the situation and is currently working there.
Please guide us on the steps to take for justice and compensation.
Dec 19, 2024
97

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My husband sold the house we bought jointlyand took a cheque plus 1-year instalments from me. What can I do? 0
Hi,
I am a non-Muslim indian expatriate, residing in Dubai since 2015. The first 5 years, I was on a working visa, and after the delivery of my first baby, I left my job and became dependent on my husband.
In 2018, we bought a house together where I invested AED 2 hundred thousand from my income (I have proof in the form of a cheque). I also paid AED 3300 monthly installment for 1 year, for a personal loan taken out for the house.
But in spite of my resistance, my husband tactfully put the house in his name, so the title deed was in his name. In 2024, when my kids and I were in India for vacation, he cancelled our visas and residency. He also filed for a divorce in India.
The divorce is not yet finalised, and we are still married. Since August 2024, he hasn't let me access my house in Dubai, so I filed a case, which eventually went in my favor in January 2025.
Since I used to travel on a visit visa, I left for India and returned in March, to find out that my husband had already sold the house. The new owner is residing there.
What can I do now?
Help!
May 1, 2025
20
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
27
My previous organization has not yet released EOSB because I contacted a client. Is this legal? 0
I recently joined a new organization in the Hamriyah Free Zone, and my previous organization has not released my end-of-service benefits.
The HR has instructed the finance team not to do so because I had contacted one of their clients.
In my DMCC contract, there is no Non-Compete clause, but the offer letter has one, and now they are not releasing the end-of-service.
Is this legal? What are my rights?
Apr 30, 2025
19
Can I renew my trade license and visa if I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me? 0
Hello,
I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year.
My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID.
Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases?
The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority.
I look forward to your response.
Thanks.
May 1, 2025
50
Can I return to Dubai after 12 years away on a new employment visa? 0
Hello,
I came from Dubai to India on emergency leave, but unfortunately, I did not return. It has now been 12 years. Can I go to Dubai on a new visa?
I have already received a new employment visa from another employer.
Can I return to Dubai, or will there be any problems with UAE immigration?
Please advise!
Apr 30, 2025
20
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