Q: Good day, I recently shifted to a furnished studio on 1st Aug 20. The building does not have contact information for any real estate or landlord. Sitting at their reception every time is just the usual 3 people. I signed a piece of paper which is kind of a contract, gave the security deposit and advanced payment. The person did not give any receipt for this transaction. I have now been paying for 2 months of rent on every 1st but they did not issue any receipt for these transactions. Now, on 4th Oct 20, they knocked on my door and told me that from next month they will increase rent for additional AED 200. I want to know the law applicable to my situation because I think it's illegal increasing a monthly rent out of their "personal interest" and not providing receipts to their tenants. I think we are being scammed. Please help. Thank you.

Q: I am a landlord who sent a notarized legal notice to my tenant for a 10% rent increase in accordance with RERA calculations. The notice was sent to the tenant residence address via ARAMEX 4 months before the contract expiry date. I have a receipt for the delivery. Is my action legally sound and do I need to do anything else?

Q: Hello, This is an inquiry related to rental renewal. I currently rent a 5 bedroom villa from a real estate company where I pay AED 192,500 and it is up for renewal on April 30. As per RERA calculator, the range for 5 bedroom townhouse/Villa is 140k to 170K, thus it indicates no increase. As per search portals, there is a big price range for similar villas, 220K to 300k+. I have given my legal notice for my intention to renew as per RERA calculator and my landlord has also given notice for renewal but indicating that it will be at a much higher rent, roughly above 250k; a 30%+ increase. I would like to resolve this amicably, but there is a big gap between our own expectations. As per law, what are my next steps? Sincerely,

س: السلام عليكم، كنت أجدد عقد الإيجار ووجدت أن مكتب العقارات يريدني أن أدفع زيادة في الإيجار 10 آلاف درهم. ذهبت إلى مركز فض المنازعات الإيجارية وأخبرتهم بذلك وقالوا لي ليس لهم الحق في زيادة الإيجار وتقدمت بطلب عرض وإيداع لكن مكتب العقارات لم يستجب. ذهبت إلى مركز فض المنازعات مجددًا وقالوا لي ستبدأ بسداد الإيجار عندما يقبلون العرض. بعد خمسة أشهر تحدث مكتب العقارات معي ويريدني أن أذهب لتجديد العقد لكنهم يريدون أن أدفع الزيادة. ذهبت إلى مركز فض المنازعات وتم تحديد جلسة تقاضي وكسبت الدعوى ولدي الحق في تجديد عقد الإيجار بنفس القيمة الإيجارية في العقد السابق. هل يجب أن أدفع الأشهر الماضية؟ وما الحل؟

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.

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. 

This Decree determines the maximum percentage of rent increase for real property in the Emirate of Dubai when renewing lease contracts.