Q: Hi, A Dubai Sports City apartment was rented out. The tenant was served a 12 months' notice (reason to sell). The tenant terminated the contract with 2 months' notice and 1-month penalty, 6 months early. The apartment cannot be sold now due to the market conditions, and thinking of renting the apartment out again for a lower rent than before. The apartment is mortgaged so need to rent out. Dubai rental law says that the apartment cannot be rented for 2 years if the tenant is evicted. But as the tenant terminated the contract 4 months early, does it nullify my eviction notice to him? 1. In this case, am I prohibited from renting out the apartment for 2 years? 2. Can my previous tenant take me to the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) though he ended the contract early? 3. If he is successful at the RDC what can the judge award him? He owns several apartments himself in Dubai and moved into one of them. What could the RDC award him in this case? 4. Any other implications for me renting the apartment out again bearing in mind all the above? Any advice appreciated. Thank you

Q: My landlord is requesting me to leave the apartment at the end of tenancy period which is in 3 months. He hasn't requested this formally, I mean he only sent an email. Can this be counted? I do not want to leave as I know the reason he wants me to evict is that he wants to increase the rent on the new tenant since I have been for quite some time.

Q: I am staying in the apartment since 2 years. My tenancy contract expires on 15th of June. I informed the landlord via email 1 month in advance, that I don't wish to continue the contract and will leave the flat. The landlord is now saying that we should have informed him 60 days in advance and is demanding for an extra 30 days rent. Is this a valid claim? Do I need to pay extra post my tenancy contract getting over? Kindly advise.

س: السلام عليكم، أملك فيلا في دبي لاند. أرسلت للمستأجر الحالي عن طريق كاتب العدل طلب إخلاء الفيلا بعد مرور 12 شهرًا لغرض بيعها خالية من المستأجر. في حالة عدم استجابة المستأجر للإنذار بعد 12 شهرًا من تاريخ التبليغ، ما العمل؟ شكرًا!

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 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.

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.