Q: When should I inform the landlord regarding vacating the flat per law?

Q: Dear sir/madam, My tenancy contract expires on 17.07. 2020. On 22.12.2019, I emailed the owner with a termination of the contract to be on 31.03.2020. The contract says: The Lessee may terminate Contract and vacate Premises following the Labor's written consent and upon Lessee agreeing the following: (a) Provide at least two months written notice to the Lessor prior to the expiry of the Term of its intention to vacate the Premises where such notice once served cannot be retracted unless the Lessor provides its written consent; (b) Settlement of the Lessors administration fee currently in force for breaking the Contract prior to the expiry of the Term, subject to the Lessor's approval. The Lessor is not obliged to refund to the Lessee any difference in rent in case of an early break of the Contract. The owner says that this notice period is applicable only to non-renewal, not early termination so either to pay penalty or complete till 16.07.2020. Is this true? Is there a limit to the penalty to 2 or 3 months or can they ask for more?

س: السلام عليكم، أختنا الفاضلة لدي مستأجر قمت بإخطاره بطلب إخلاء العقار (لبيعه) وبعدها بحوالي 3 أشهر تواصلت معه، ولكنه أخبرني أنه لم يستلم شيء من المحكمة على الرغم من أن تقرير شركة أرامكس يفيد بأنهم قد لصقوا طلب الإخلاء على باب الفيلا. أرجو مساعدتكم الكريمة بالرد القانوني المناسب ولكم منا كل الشكر!

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.

This article tries to explain the concept of Force Majeure and its application in residential tenancy contracts in the light of a recent RDC judgement.

The UAE Penal Code, like all other laws, addresses the crime of fraud in Article 399 of the UAE Federal Penal Code, which stipulates that whoever seizes, for himself or another, a movable property, or obtains a document or signature thereon, cancellation or destruction thereof or amendment thereto by fraudulent means, or by assuming a false name or capacity, where such an act leads to deception of a victim and leads him to surrender shall be punished by imprisonment or fine.

الإخطار أو الإنذار القانوني هو إجراء قانوني يتم اتخاذه من قبل شخص أو منشأة أو كيان يدعى (المنذر- المخطر) بناء على نص قانوني أو اتفاق عقدي موجه إلى شخص آخر يدعى (المنذر إليه - المخطر اليه) لإبلاغه او إخطاره أو تحذيره باتخاذ إجراء قانوني معين أو تقديم شكوى قضائية ضده في حال لم يتم تنفيذ ما تضمنه الإنذار القانوني خلال المدة الزمنية المحددة به.

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.