Q: Please see the information given below and let me know who should pay this security deposit to the tenant and what will be the new landlord role here. 1. In August, 2016, I purchased a property in Gate Tower, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, where the tenant stayed. 2. His contract was until Feb 2017, so instead of returning the balance amount of rental charge, I requested the previous owner to deduct that amount. 3. After signing the contract, I received the contract between the previous owner and tenant and realized that there was a deposit AED 4,750. 4. I did not know about this deposit and transferring deposit was not even mentioned in the contract. Furthermore, the deposit agreement was between previous owner and tenant. 5. Now, the tenant wants to receive the deposit. Please let me know whether I as a new landlord have to return this deposit or the tenant has to collect the deposit from the previous owner since they made an agreement of deposit.

Q: Hi, I recently purchased a home. It's currently rented and I want to move in, but the law says that a 1-year eviction notice is needed. However, the tenancy contract states that the landlord has the right not to renew the tenancy contract by writing a notice before 90 days. This contract was signed by the previous owner, so will this be applicable or do I have to give him a 1-year eviction notice? The tenancy contract ends on January 14. Please advise. Thanks.

Q: Hi, I recently purchased a home and it is currently rented but I want to move on. The law says that 1-year eviction notice is needed, but the tenancy contract states that the landlord has the right not to renew the tenancy contract by writing a notice 90 days earlier. But this contract was signed by the previous owner so will this be applicable or do I have to give him a 1-year eviction notice? The tenancy contract finishes in January. Please advise! Thanks!

Q: Dear Lawyers, During the sale of the property, to whom is the security deposit returned? The tenant or the new owner?

Q: Hello, I recently bought a house. In the sale contract, it was mentioned that the house was rented; however, upon the sale, the owner had returned the deposit to the tenant, and the tenant had abandoned the property without informing me. When I checked with the owner, he said he returned the deposit to the tenant so the tenant could pay it to me and start a new tenancy contract. I would like to know the following: 1. Is the tenant or the landlord at fault? 2. How can I pursue legal action against the landlord if he is liable? 3. What are the total fees (including all legal expenses) to pursue litigation? Thank you!

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.

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. 

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.

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.