Q: Hi, I am staying in a one-bedroom flat and the main hall of the apartment is leaking for the last 2 months. I have asked for a rent reduction and there is no response from real estate. How can I take this forward?

Q: Greetings, A brief about the rental dispute that we have with our office bldg owner: So our office landlord has recently filed a legal case with the Rental Disputes Center against our company. They are demanding us to pay the unpaid rent from March 2020 onwards. We felt it would be unfair for us to continue paying since we have been suffering from a frustrating AC issue since July 2019, and this particular issue has been from the building’s central unit apparently, During the past 2 years of having this issue, we contacted the landlord and his team so many times and asked them to resolve the matter, but these guys didn’t really take any proper steps to resolve the issue. Please note below the clause mentioned in the contract between us & the landlord: "Lessor shall keep the premises in a good state of repair and fit for habitation." Kindly let us have your professional legal advice so that we consider using your services, Thanks, H. M.

Q: I have paid three cheques up until the end of November 2017 when it is being demolished. I need to move out into staff accommodation in August when the next cheque is due. The relationship with the landlord company is not great. I have had 4 cheques bounce. 2 - my fault, 2 - theirs. I am being charged 8 thousand for this which I will pay. They have however not kept the swimming pool clean. I have many emails with photos showing the green pool and requests for it to be kept clean. Can I terminate the contract as they are not keeping it clean?

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.

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.