Q: When can a landlord disconnect electricity and water supply?

Q: Dear All, My landlord disconnected the electricity in my flat and locked the electrical room due to my outstanding balance. What will happen to me if I unlock the door to turn on the power? My money is with my recent employer against whom I won a labor case. The landlord refuses to wait

Q: Hello Advocate Nikhat, How are you, Madam? My house is in Abu Dhabi and I had rent bounced cheques due to my job loss. Q.1 As we know that for a rent cheque bounce, after the police case is closed and the civil case is opened, then in this civil case, the judge will decide on the amount for instalments. Won't he consider what we say about how much we can pay? Q.2 Ref to the above question, it means there is no jail directly if we agree with the judge on the amount to be paid in instalments. Now, I understand that once the instalments are finalized, then we have to pay them regularly. The question is, in the civil case, there is no direct Jail in the first or second hearing, as the judge negotiates the amount for payment, correct? Q.3 During eviction case, when rent/lease is expired. Since the lease is now connected with Tawtheeq, so if Tawtheeq expires as the rent agreement expires, Will ADDC cut my electricity during this time? Q.4 Please, also advise what is Legal Advice Middle East, is it a law firm?

Q: I am living in a hotel apartment in Abu Dhabi. For the last 3 days, my flat does not have electricity and water. I have already paid them 6 months' rent on contract. Hotel management is saying that they have to deposit AED 300K to ADDC, then only electricity will resume. It's been three days since the electricity is there. Can someone point me in the right direction, where to complain and so that my flat electricity is back?

Q: Hello, My landlord disconnected the water and electricity for the 4th time this week because my signature didn't match the cheque. What I can I do? And he is threatening me now if I will not pay until tomorrow by cash he will change the locks and he will deport me.

س: السلام عليكم، أسكن في بيت إيجار بعقد من الباطن مع أسرتي. مشكلتي أن المؤجِّر قطع الكهرباء وأخذ المكيفات التي في الأسطح والآن لا توجد كهرباء ولا مكيفات ولا يوجد لدي عقد موثَّق. علمًا بأن آخر يوم من شهر 6 يكون الإيجار انتهى. أعطيت له سيارتي مقابل مبلغ الإيجار. ما الحل؟ وأين أستطيع تقديم شكوى؟ هل يحق له قطع الكهرباء وأخذ المكيفات معه؟

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.

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. 

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.