Q: I had rented a flat in Sharjah and returned it to the landlord prior to expiry after obtaining the necessary clearance from authorities. All rents due were paid. The landlord is not paying the security deposit of AED1500 for the last 90 days. Now, he is not answering calls or replying to messages. Please advise

Q: I have to cancel my tenancy contract as I lost my job. I read in gulf news that tenants can cancel the contract without paying a penalty if they don't have income for it. My wife has a job, but the tenancy contract is on my name. Is it possible to cancel the contract without penalty? Should I approach the court to get a ruling in my favour?

Q: Dears, I have a tenancy contract for 6 years in Dubai. The agreement gives an option to renew every year but it does not talk about early cancellation or any penalty payments. I have finished 5 years and I want to cancel now. In this case, should I pay any penalty payment imposed by the landlord or RERA if I cancel 1 year earlier? Kindly advise!

Q: Hello Sir! I rented an apartment in a villa in Abu Dhabi 4 months back and paid 4 months' rent in cash and have given three cheques for the remaining rent in advance (4-4 months) one cheque is a security cheque. We signed a contract for one year. Now because I got terminated from the job, I informed the landlord with one month's notice and evicted the house after 3 months leaving one month's of rent to him as discussed at the time of the contract. I lived only for 3 months. Now the landlord is not returning my cheques and demanding all the amount of the remaining year and threatening me for filing a case if he bounces my cheque. I negotiated and he asked me now in the last conversation to pay only for 3 months more and he will give me back my cheques, What should I do? I can't pay even for the 3 months since I have evicted the house as discussed. What are my legal rights in such a case and what's the worse I can expect if he bounces my cheques? Kindly advise. Thank you

Q: I lost my job and my tenancy is still valid for the next 9 months. I notified the landlord once more that I have to leave next month. Will he be eligible to deduct any amount?

Q: Dear Lawyers, My family member has a case against his landlord and managing agent at RERA, which has been set for a hearing next month. He has vacated the property and given notice of cancellation, but the managing agents are ignoring him and refuse to provide the landlord's contact details. In the meantime, the managing agents indicated they will still bank the next rental cheque of AED 100k (for six months' rent). Is there anything that can be done to stop this? My brother isn't in a position to pay this money as he had to find other accommodation, but he doesn't want to face any legal issues if the cheque bounces.

Q: I got RDSC judgment in my favor awarding termination of my lease from May 2024 to May 2025. The landlord made an appeal and lied about my request for termination on 4 December. My lawyer didn't give any response so the landlord won the appeal. Recently, the Landlord asked for the keys back and said I have overstayed since 4 Dec for not returning the key. He said he could cash my last rent cheque and wouldn't return the deposit. I gave him my friend's address and said to pick up the key from there but to return my deposit and last rent cheque but he does not agree. He wants to keep the deposit.

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.