Q: I am staying in a rented apartment in Ajman since September last year. During September 2020 the landlord agreed to renew the rent agreement for a further period of one year with a reduced annual rent amount. Accordingly, both of us signed the application format of Ajman Municipality for renewal of tenancy agreement. Apparently, the landlord failed to authenticate the tenancy contract from Ajman Municipality. According to him his online account with the Municipality could not be accessed as it was locked and he is communicating with them through emails as the landlord currently stays abroad. My question is that, is it legal to continue in a rented flat in Ajman without Municipality Authentication? First-year tenancy contract was duly authenticated by Municipality which expired in Sept 2020. Are there any consequences to continue in the same flat without authentication?

Q: Hi, My landlord left the UAE for a long time. We are about to rent for a new additional year, but the agent is asking to pay in cash and he will give us the cheque back with receipts. Is there any issue or something to worry about?

Q: Is a non-renewable residential tenancy contract legal in Dubai? My landlord is insisting on putting a new line in the addendum stating that the contract is not renewable. Thank you.

Q: My rent agreement includes 2 parking spaces (the landlord owns multiple units in the apartment complex). Now that it has come time for renewal, the landlord is saying only 1 parking space is assigned to the unit per the title deed and I will not have access to the other parking space, i.e. the contract will be amended when renewed to be now just 1 parking allocation. Does not seem legally right to me but if the landlord has found a legal loophole fair play to them - seems the clear black or white answer. Kindly advise if the landlord can do it or not. Many thanks.

Q: Hi, I am a landlord. The tenant and I agreed verbally to renew the contract for one extra year after three years of tenancy. But the current contract is expired and the tenant did not sign the renewal contract. Do I have to write to ask him to evict the apartment? Thank you!

Q: Dear sir/madam, "This contract is non-renewable". Kindly clarify on the enforceability of this clause in the tenancy agreement if we are forced to sign this as a tenant. Further, we would like to know if this clause can be challenged if the landlord file for eviction at RERA.

Q: Dear Lawyers, My apartment lease contract in Ajman ends on 09-Dec-2024. The landlord has served me a notice through the Ministry of Justice, stating their unwillingness to renew the contract and requesting that I vacate the property at the end of the lease.

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.