Q: Hi, I received a call from the landlord that he wants to sell the property and is not planning to renew our contract which will end on the last of the next February. He requested us to pay the last quarter cheque in cash. Please tell me about my legal situation and the right advice in the following cases: 1- What is your advice regarding paying the last quarter into cash (as he said that he closed his bank accounts)? 2- Does he has a right to ask me to leave the apartment before 3 months? 3- Is it right that as per Dubai law, he cannot increase the rent unless we continue for 3 years? Thanks in advance!

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: The landlord wants to provide us with a 12 months' notice to evict but has not provided a reason. We have advised him of the 4 reasons as per RERA in which he can do this and that he cannot rent the property to another tenant for 2 years if he proceeds with this. He has ignored this and now asked to inspect the property next week. Obviously, as he has given notice we have to allow this. Where do we stand in protecting ourselves? It is quite clear he wants us to leave as the rent in our area has increased significantly but the RERA calculator is not allowing any rental increase.

Q: I bought a villa without viewing it on 30-12-2022. It was rented at AED 75,000/year (contract expiry 23-03-2022). The previous landlord served an eviction notice (Sale) in September 2021 to the tenant for 12 months. He also sent an email 90 days before the expiry of the tenancy agreement to the tenant informing him that "the rent increase will be as per RERA guidelines and by him or the new owner if he managed to sell the villa before March 23, 2022". Last week, the tenant sent an email requesting to renew the contract and then on WhatsApp chat he agreed to a rent renewal at AED 100,000. When I sent the tenancy contract to him on WhatsApp, his lawyer sent me a legal notice: 1. Forcing me to renew the contract with AED 75,000 and not as per the RERA increase which will be almost 95,000. The current market is AED 125,000 2. Not allowing me to inspect/view the villa and if I insist, then he will take legal action against me What should I do?

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.

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.

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.