Q: Hi, I have a 1-year rental agreement with 4 payments in a year in the form of PDC. I went on a normal 1-month vacation with a return ticket, but unfortunately, all flights were suspended and travel restriction applied due to Coronavirus. Now for the last 2-3 months, I am in my country and unable to join work but my landlord said I have to pay money from my country. How can I pay with no salary and I am stuck outside with no guarantee what will happen next? Out of 4 cheques, 3 easily cashed with no problem but he said pay half cheque amount in May and the remaining in next month.

Q: Hi, I have an apartment in Dubai rented out to a tenant since Mar 2020. I have been a very supportive landlord in the COVID-19 situation, have collected monthly rents in cash instead of depositing the cheque even delayed the rent for a couple of months, and reduced the rent for July 2020. For the last rent cheque which is due next week Jan 10th 2021, the tenant has asked me not to put the cheque and still requesting for negotiation. The tenant lost his job in April but was successfully running his own business on an extended residency visa from his company. His visa is cancelled now and says that accounts are frozen, and not to put the cheque. When I asked for cash payment he said there is no money. Can I still choose to deposit the cheque and proceed legally? Or Should I give him a one month notice? Do I still need to wait for his green light to put the cheque? I feel the tenant is taking undue advantage of me being nice since it has happened every month since April. Please advise.

Q: My company is suffering under the current challenging circumstances. It provides an important service in Dubai. However, due to a major decline in revenue, we are trying to negotiate with the landlord which is proving difficult and can lead to eviction. What are the options available to us? Relocating is not an option as a lot of investment has been taken place at the current location. Thanks!

As the world is currently experiencing a major lockdown and suspension of almost all commercial and civil operations, the question arises in the novelty of Coronavirus outbreak on how serious it is to be dealt with as a Force Majeure.

An interview-format article covering the topic of defaulting on commercial lease in the UAE and related procedures. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW. In this article, Ludmila discusses what one should do if the tenant becomes unresponsive.

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.

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.