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?

Q: Dear sir/madam, I have been asked by the landlord to leave the property by the end of the contract and he doesn't want to renew it. He is going to sell the apartment. I confirmed over email that I will start looking for an apartment on the due dates. The property suits me for my kids' school and I cannot move away from the location. Upon checking into the area, there is not a single apartment available that can suit my requirements. 1. What happens if I want more time after the tenancy period expiry to look for an apartment? 2. Since it was 2 months' notice, can I ask the landlord to renew for this year or extend the current tenancy? 3. Can the landlord force me to terminate and avoid renewal?

Q: Hi, I was recently evicted by my landlord through a proper eviction notice of 12 months that was issued by a public notary. The notice stated that he intends to sell the property, but he moved in within one week of my moving out. I know that he did not re-rent the property to anyone for a higher rent, but since he evicted me for the wrong reason, stating that he wants to sell but then moving in himself, can I sue him? Will this case have a chance in RDC?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I agreed with my landlord to vacate his apartment because he wanted to sell the property. He provided me with one year's notice from a notary public. My current contract ends on June 4th, 2023. However, the one-year notice period expires at the end of November 2023. I have two questions: - Can he increase the rent from June 4th, 2023 to November 2023? - How can I request evidence from the landlord that he is selling the property?

Q: Hi Sir/Madam My landlord filed an eviction case in RDC against me based on an email notice he sent last year. After the first hearing, the judge asked the landlord to deposit a fee for expert opinion. The expert came to the conclusion that the email notice is valid for eviction. When I quoted the law and was told that the email notice was not valid legally as per RERA law, the expert said that the law was not his area of expertise and gave a final report in the landlord's favor. In such cases, does the judge usually give a verdict based on the conclusion of the expert report or the RERA law?

Q: The tenant vacated the unit after getting one year's notice from the landlord to sell the property. Can the landlord stay himself instead of selling?

Q: I sent a legal notice to my tenant through Dubai court for eviction. But the dates for the tenancy contract in the Arabic portion are wrong. The dates in English are correct. The notice was sent on 13th June. What do you think should be done now? Do I need to send it again or the judge will consider it?

Q: Dear Lawyers, I sent a legal notice to evict my tenant with incorrect information about the payment. The outstanding amount owed by the tenant is actually more. It was a mistake made by the typing center, which sent a legal notice with a miscalculation. How should I handle this matter? Can the tenant use this as evidence to pay less than they are supposed to?

Q: The landlord made me sign an eviction notice in person while renewing the rental contract. Is this kind of notice acceptable in court or does the notice need to be notarized and sent by registered mail?

Q: Hello Team, I'm contemplating submitting a formal complaint to the RDC against my former landlord, who evicted me on the grounds of personal use of the property. I have enough evidence to proceed with the case, but I'm uncertain about one aspect that might be questioned by the Dubai Courts. I received an email and a signed paper notice of eviction, but I did not receive an official eviction notice via the Dubai Courts system. Would this be considered valid if I file a complaint seeking compensation? Thank you in advance!

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.