Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
9 available 9 • View allCan landlord change terms of lease renewal if it's less than a year?

1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
My lease expires at the end of October. However, my landlord served us a notice for eviction in February through the proper channels.
Our lease is now due to end in October, as that is when the contract expires. However, the landlord is now saying that if we want to renew until February, we must do so under updated terms and a rent increase.
Wouldn't this just be an extension of the same terms, and it is not for a full year?


Aug 5, 2023
151
Can I increase rent in Dubai even if RERA rental index says no?

2
Q: Hello,
I have a studio apartment in Al Merkadh. The rent for a studio apartment in Al Merkadh ranges from AED 46,000 to 56,000 per year.
Currently, my tenant pays AED 54,000 per year. As per the law, can I ask him for a 10% increase in rent from the next renewal, which is due in the next 3 months?
Am I entitled to increase the rent in this case? Can I increase the rent for my tenant even if the RERA rental index says there is no increase in rent?
How can I obtain a rent valuation certificate for my property?
If we ask our current tenant (a single person, not a family) to vacate the property upon the completion of the tenancy, will a 90-day prior notice by email suffice, or do we need to send him a notice through a lawyer?
He is refusing to leave the property and is asking me to give him a 12-month notice, but when I gave him the property, he verbally agreed to leave it after 1 year.
What are my options in this case?
Thanks!


Aug 17, 2023
496
Can landlord increase rent without 90 days' notice?
2
Q: Hi,
Our agent has asked for a rental increase without giving us 90 days' notice. He has only given us one month's notice.
He is now threatening us that if we do not agree to the increase, he will ask for a Rental Valuation Certificate, and the increase will be much higher.
My question is, can he do this? RERA states that he needs to give us 90 days' notice.
I have looked at our contract, and even though it does not explicitly say that he needs to give us 90 days' notice, it does state that the increase will be according to RERA guidelines.
I would really appreciate your help with this matter, as we are feeling very stressed at the moment.

Sep 11, 2023
859
Is the RERA index applicable to hotel apartments?


2
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
A landlord looking to increase rent without following the RERA index. What are tenant’s rights?
My landlord notified me on time that he would like to increase the rent significantly. He claims that the RERA index is not applicable as it is a Hotel Apartment (the property type on the title deed is indeed “Hotel Apartment”).
However, I do have a valid Ejari. Does it mean that the RERA index is applicable?
Thank you!



Oct 2, 2023
378
Can the new owner of an apartment increase my rent if it is against RERA Index?




0
Q: Hi
I'm a tenant of an apartment and a new owner has purchased the apartment. I would like to know:
1. Should I revise the Ejari by canceling the previous one and applying for a new one?
2. My current rent is 35% less than the current market value. Can the new owner change the rent as per the market value, or he still has to follow the RERA Index calculator for a new contract?





Nov 19, 2023
99
Landlord wants rent increase citing furnishings and view. Is this a legitimate reason?



2
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
My landlord suggested a 10% rent increase despite the Rent Index indicating no increase for my unit. His argument is that the unit is partially furnished and has a better view.
Is this a legally legitimate reason? What should be my counterargument?




Apr 5, 2024
81
Is the RERA rental index calculator applicable to hotel apartments?




1
Q: Dear All,
I currently have an annual rent contract with a hotel apartment in Al Barsha, Dubai. I have a separate Ejari and pay my unit's DEWA bills. My current yearly rent is the same as the rent advertised for new units in the same building.
However, my contract renewal is due in three months, and the building management has informed me that a 10% increase in rent will be applied if I wish to renew.
According to the RERA rental index calculator for the Al Barsha area, my current annual rent is already higher than the average rent, so no increase in rent is permissible.
The building management has stated that they don't fall under the RERA rental index because they're hotel apartments. I wish to verify whether they fall under RERA rent index guidelines or not. Please advise.
I am willing to open a rental dispute case and seek legal help, but I need to check if it will be valid.
Thank you!





Jul 29, 2024
83
Does a tenancy contract supersede the laws of the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA)?




3
Q: Dear Lawyers,
Dubai Tenancy Question
Addendum:
1. In case of not renewing the contract, the tenant shall inform the landlord 3 months prior. If the tenant fails to do so, they shall bear a penalty of 2 months' rent for not notifying the landlord.
2. Failure to execute the renewal (at the sole discretion of the landlord) shall result in the automatic termination of this agreement.
3. The landlord unequivocally objects to the tenant's continued occupation of the premises after the expiry of this agreement. An overstay fee shall apply from the day following the expiry of the term. The tenant’s continued occupation shall not result in the automatic renewal of this agreement.
Questions:
A. Does this addendum supersede the laws of the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA)?
B. Does the contract automatically renew, or is it considered terminated as per the conditions of the addendum?
C. How much should be paid to the landlord if the tenant vacates a week after the expiry of the contract?





+2
Nov 14, 2024
151
Can the real estate company ask for 10% rent increase if the RERA rental index does not allow it?




0
Q: I am residing in Al Nahda 2 area, and the real estate company is asking me for a 10% rent increase from last year. However, checking RERA, there is no increase in the rates in my area as checked today.
Once I told my real estate the same, they said it had to be checked 3 months ago from now. Also, the area they have shown in their RERA is Al Nahda 1, while I reside in Al Nahda 2.





+2
Mar 25, 2025
57
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allWhat You Should Know While Renting a Property in the UAE 5
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.
Feb 24, 2020
3927
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allDecree No. (43) of 2013 Determining Rent Increases for Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai 9
This Decree determines the maximum percentage of rent increase for real property in the Emirate of Dubai when renewing lease contracts.
Dec 18, 2013
13238
Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 12
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.
Nov 26, 2007
24285
Law No. (33) of 2008 Amending Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 8
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.
Dec 1, 2008
24939

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View allAre there any restrictions on a diplomat buying property in the UAE? 0
Hello,
Is there any restriction on a diplomat buying property in the UAE, where he works as a diplomat at his country's consulate?
Feb 20, 2025
69
If someone has a case in the UAE, can they travel to another GCC country? 0
Hi.
One of my friends joined a Telegram group. They said, "We will transfer some amount to your account, and your task is to transfer this amount to another account. Once the task is completed, you will get 30 or 50 AED per task."
He completed 3 to 4 tasks, but he realized it was not good, so he stopped. After one week, when he opened his account, it was blocked, and the bank said, "We are conducting an investigation; after this, we will let you know."
After some days, he had an accident and went to his home country. He then received a call from a landline number, which was from the Abu Dhabi police station.
They said, "We have received a complaint against you; come to our investigation department." However, due to his surgery and treatment, he could not go.
After some time, his bank account was reopened, and he did not receive any further calls. I want to know, if he comes back to the UAE or goes to any other GCC country, will he face any problems?
If someone has a case in the UAE, can they travel to another GCC country?
Please advise!
Feb 17, 2025
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What can I do if my employer refuses to pay me and I have no contract? 0
Hello,
What legal action can I take in case the employer refuses to pay my salary and I don't have a contract with them?
Feb 18, 2025
122
I want to open an online shop. Do I need a license to open an Etsy shop? 0
I currently live in Sharjah and have a UAE residence visa but I am not a UAE or GCC national. I want to open an online shop (Etsy or Shopify) to sell handmade items, such as crocheted goods, bookmarks, greeting cards, etc.
Do I need a license to open an Etsy shop?
If so, which license do I need to sell my products online, including UAE and worldwide?
How much would it cost me?
Can I keep my residence visa (sponsored by my father) and not change it?
Feb 14, 2025
115
How can we locate a person with an ongoing legal case? 0
Hello,
I am seeking your legal advice regarding a friend who was previously imprisoned in Abu Dhabi. His case there is now closed, but he has another ongoing case in Dubai.
Currently, we have lost contact with him and are unsure of his whereabouts. How can we check where he is or access any other legal facility?
Are there legal procedures to locate a person with an ongoing case?
What steps should we take to get more information about his status and legal position?
Feb 11, 2025
136
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