Q: Dear Sir, We have a tenancy contract from January this year for a villa in Springs. The rent was to be paid in 2 cheques, out of which we have paid one and the 2nd cheque was dishonoured due to financial trouble. My husband is currently in custody for some bank related case and my son is on his own at the house. The landlord sent us 30 days' notice through notary that expired yesterday. Can the landlord evict us from the property because we are not in a situation to pay till my husband is out of the legal trouble? We have applied for his bail but the landlord is not ready to cooperate. What is the process for them to get the house evicted because our intention is to pay them but we need some time? Can you guide us, please? The problem is every other day the landlord comes and harasses my son by knocking on the door and calling every day.

Q: Hi, My question pertains to a rental cheque bounce where the property is in Dubai and the landlord is based in Abu Dhabi. Due to unexpected circumstances, we informed the landlord of cancelling the tenancy contract midway. And in spite of giving 2 months notice and paying the rent for the number of days stayed, the landlord deposited the upcoming rent cheque - which bounced. The contract has a 2-month rent penalty which the landlord is claiming. The landlord filed a criminal case in Abu Dhabi, and I was forced to pay a fine of AED 26,000 at the Abu Dhabi police station. The bounced cheque is for AED 127,500. Now the landlord is filing a civil case for the entire cheque value when his due is only AED 28,300 (2 months rent). The annual rent was AED 170,000. 1. Can he successfully file a civil (cheque bounce) case and get a judgement in Abu Dhabi? If so, can I appeal? 2. As this is a rental issue, should it only be heard in the Rental Dispute Committee in Dubai? Thank you for your time, A.

Q: My tenancy contract specifies that "In the event of early termination, Tenant shall have to serve two-month written notice prior to the vacating date and to pay two months rent as a penalty to the landlord and the remaining balance to be refunded". Based on that, please advise if during the two months notice I can stay in the property and paying those two months rent (which are effectively already paid) are the penalty or if after the two months notice an additional two months rent should be paid as a penalty? Thank you

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.

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 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.

The provisions of this Decree by Law amend the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 by replacing Clause (4) of Article (379) as well as Articles (600), (617), (641), (642), (643), (644), and adding new articles numbered (635) Bis, (641) Bis (1), (641) Bis (2), (641) Bis (3), (641) Bis (4), (643) Bis (1), (643) Bis (2), (644) Bis (1) and (644) Bis (2). The Decree-Law also repeals Articles (401), (402) and (403) of the Federal Law No. (3) of 1987.

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.