Q: I moved to an apartment in July 2018 and the landlord was outside of Dubai. Being a foreigner, he promised to complete all documentation soon and he cashed out my cheques. Then he stated that the apartment was registered on his son (a minor) and doesn't have the necessary documents and he will complete when he comes to Dubai. He came 9 months after I moved in and that costed me to pay AED 12,100 proven fine for late renewal of my maid’s visa (Ejari is the landlord's responsibility). As per the contract, the Building Management deactivated access cards including the parking during my stay, saying the landlord failed to pay the service fee. This was the case for 100 days. All failures were acknowledged by the landlord via emails. When moving out (July 2019) his agent inspected the apartment. They promised to provide a list of deductions in few days which happened with 53 days delay and failed to present invoices and return deposit balance so far (80 days delay). The deduction is a round figure (suspicious). Please let me know if you can assist and tell me about the cost.

Q: I have been renting a property since 11 May 2021 and the lease was due to expire on 10 May 2022. On 27 September 2021, I was served a notarised eviction notice by the landlord as he intends to sell the property. It is my right to remain on the property until 27 September 2022 which is one year from the receipt of the eviction notice. The landlord has given me a letter where he has no objection to me staying on the property until 27 September 2022, however, I would like to know whether I need to register this 4-month extension with Ejari. The landlord tells me that it is not possible, as Ejari is only applicable to contracts of 6 months or more. How am I protected in this case? Thank you

Q: Hello, I served my tenant an eviction notice on 5 Dec 2021 to leave the property. His tenancy contract was to be renewed on 5 Jan 2022 and I renewed it for the period of 5 Jan 2022 to 6 December 2022. So is it fine as I am giving him 12 months to evict the property (notice on 5 December 2021)? Or do I need to make it 5 January 2021 to 5 January 2022?

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.

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 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.