Q: Please advise on this case as a landlord. My tenant informed me that she has lost her job because of COVID 19 and wants to delay the rent cheque due this month. On asking for how long she wants the delay and what is her plan for the future, she said that she does not want to pay for 3 months and then continue payment after 3 months. She has no plans to leave Dubai or the property; her whole situation is uncertain because of the current situation. The property is a townhouse in Dubai. Please advise what should I reply to her? Quote from her email (Please ask the landlord to either send back the 15th April cheque or maybe overwrite it and send a picture. My kind request is to freeze the payment for the period of 3 months and continue payment from the next cheque on the 15th of July. As for your question, I do not intend to leave Dubai, and I hope the situation will get back to normal soon, so I will be able to get a job.)

Q: Our shop rent already expired on 01 March 2020. We didn't renew the contract as we have requested the landlord on 18 April 2020 to reduce the rent, but he is not ready to reduce. At this COVID-19 situation, we cannot afford this rent of AED 85000 for 29 Sqr Mtr. We informed the landlord on 18 April 20 only for non-renewal. So legally, how can we get out of this shop?

Q: I just found out I have a rental case in Dubai. In the flat where I stayed, I have informed the landlord that I will not renew the contract before I went on vacation. I had canceled the water and electricity and got a clearance certificate but did not complete the closing process and the landlord wants me to hand over it personally while I informed them that I’m out of the country. I have paid an authorized person to process the handover while I’m out of the country but still they don’t accept it. They automatically renewed the contract as per the old agreement and went legal. There is a judgment also from RDC court to pay rent of 22k and evacuate. 1. There are no pending cheques. Is this a criminal case or a civil case? 2. Can I make an appeal? 3. Can I also make a request to bargain the amount to be paid as I don’t have a job right now. 4. What will happen if I will not pay?

Q: Assalamu Alaikum, In 2019, I rented a studio in Al Ain for a short term with a fixed monthly rent payment. I was paying every month by 4 months. In the middle of the 4th month, due to problems with the owner of the studio, I informed him that I was moving out of his studio. On December 20, 2019, I left his studio and handed over the keys to his office. On 24 January 2020, the owner, without my knowledge, registered a rental contract with me for a year at Municipality. On this rental agreement, in place of my signature, there is a signature scan from my Emirates ID which was placed without my knowledge. The landlord took me to Enforcement Court where I was ordered to pay 39,000 as rent. The Court of enforcement blocked my bank account. What should I do, how can I legally claim my rights? Can I appeal against the judge's decision? How can I prove my innocence legally and try to extort money in my opinion? What are the court fees and fees for the possible assistance of a lawyer through his services?

An interview-format article covering the topic of rental disputes amidst COVID-19 in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

An interview-format article covering the topic of force majeure in the UAE, in light of COVID-19. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.

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.