Q: Dear sir/madam, I have an inquiry regarding my current new rent contract situation. I have a signed rental contract for a villa, with a move date of 1st of July. Upon inspecting the empty villa after prior tenants have vacated, we've informed the landlord of broken door and window handles which is a security hazard, and many fixes of broken tiles, ceiling cracks, and paintwork to fix water-damaged spots. We have not received any response from the landlord, which would constitute a breach in the contract of clause 3 & clause 20 of the contract addendum. In the case of breaching contract terms before the move-in date started on the contract (first of July) for the above-mentioned issues that include safety and security hazards, I would not be comfortable to move in with my family in such conditions. What would be my rights to cancel this contract? Would there be a penalty on the landlord for not honoring the contract terms? Thank you in advance!

Q: I have been renting an apartment for 1.5 years in Dubai. Recently, the kitchen ceiling leaked and the water has gone into the wooden cabinets and 3 of the cabinets have completely rotted from inside. All of our food in there is destroyed. Not only that, but the water from the leak mixed with the glue from the wooden cabinets and became brown and sticky. It is now all over the worktops and the floor and appliances in the kitchen. There are puddles of brown water on the floor. The entire kitchen is unusable. The main maintenance person first refused to visit the apartment to inspect the damage. He only came when we insisted and then told us we have to wait until next Thursday to get the work done. Meanwhile, we cannot use the kitchen, every day the water is spreading more and more and there are now flies everywhere (and the smell is terrible). Can I legally deduct the rent for the number of weeks we have been without a kitchen? I need to pay rent for the second half of the year in August.

Q: I am unable to get the security deposit refund from the landlord. I was told that they will deduct 4000 AED for painting charges for the villa and around 1300 AED for curtain removal. I stayed for 2.5 years. The landlord has never told me that they will deduct such a huge amount for painting. The condition of the villa, from a painting perspective, looks fine except few holes on the wall for the hanging of painting/smart tv, etc. Am I liable to pay for the painting? Is it a standard practice to paint the villa/apt before vacating the flat? If yes, then can I arrange myself for painting.

Q: Greetings, A brief about the rental dispute that we have with our office bldg owner: So our office landlord has recently filed a legal case with the Rental Disputes Center against our company. They are demanding us to pay the unpaid rent from March 2020 onwards. We felt it would be unfair for us to continue paying since we have been suffering from a frustrating AC issue since July 2019, and this particular issue has been from the building’s central unit apparently, During the past 2 years of having this issue, we contacted the landlord and his team so many times and asked them to resolve the matter, but these guys didn’t really take any proper steps to resolve the issue. Please note below the clause mentioned in the contract between us & the landlord: "Lessor shall keep the premises in a good state of repair and fit for habitation." Kindly let us have your professional legal advice so that we consider using your services, Thanks, H. M.

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.

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.

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.