Q: Is it possible to cancel a property rental contract before the designated move-in date that has been signed already? What are the rights of the landlord on my cheques that have been given to him already? Will I have to pay any fees even though I have not received the keys to the place yet, and I am also unable to move due to the COVID-19 lockdown?

Q: Hi, I have a 1-year rental agreement with 4 payments in a year in the form of PDC. I went on a normal 1-month vacation with a return ticket, but unfortunately, all flights were suspended and travel restriction applied due to Coronavirus. Now for the last 2-3 months, I am in my country and unable to join work but my landlord said I have to pay money from my country. How can I pay with no salary and I am stuck outside with no guarantee what will happen next? Out of 4 cheques, 3 easily cashed with no problem but he said pay half cheque amount in May and the remaining in next month.

Q: Hi, My question pertains to a rental cheque bounce where the property is in Dubai and the landlord is based in Abu Dhabi. Due to unexpected circumstances, we informed the landlord of cancelling the tenancy contract midway. And in spite of giving 2 months notice and paying the rent for the number of days stayed, the landlord deposited the upcoming rent cheque - which bounced. The contract has a 2-month rent penalty which the landlord is claiming. The landlord filed a criminal case in Abu Dhabi, and I was forced to pay a fine of AED 26,000 at the Abu Dhabi police station. The bounced cheque is for AED 127,500. Now the landlord is filing a civil case for the entire cheque value when his due is only AED 28,300 (2 months rent). The annual rent was AED 170,000. 1. Can he successfully file a civil (cheque bounce) case and get a judgement in Abu Dhabi? If so, can I appeal? 2. As this is a rental issue, should it only be heard in the Rental Dispute Committee in Dubai? Thank you for your time, A.

Q: A landlord agent, after failing to live up to the terms of my monthly rentals agreement, including not making repairs, said I could vacate the property before the end of the lease if I want and he will return the deposit. After I moved out, he turn around stiff me with my deposit claiming that I broke the lease for moving out before lease expiration. What is my legal recourse?

An interview-format article covering the topic of defaulting on commercial lease in the UAE and related procedures. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW. In this article, Ludmila discusses what one should do if the tenant becomes unresponsive.

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.