Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
4 available 4 • View allReimbursement of rent payments from the landlord for breach
1
Q: Hello Mrs Khan
I have a situation here, I have to take a flat on rent and the rent was agreed to be paid in 6 Instalments. So I made the first instalment in cash and rest with post-dated cheques along with a security deposit cheque.
Now, the situation has arisen that the landlord has not signed the contract because of some court case on the building and I have not the received the flat as promised.
Can I cancel my cheques with expecting any actions to be taken against me as I have not received the flat as agreed, and should I lodge a police complaint? Is there any other action that needs to be taken?
Thanks
Anuj

Jun 8, 2018
615
Breach of the lease contract obligations by the landlord
1
Q: We moved into a villa in August 2017 and we paid one cash cheque payment to the owner who is local, as he gave us a copy of his Emirates ID and contract.
In December, our water was cut and was told by ADDC that the water has not been paid since August, which we all donated and paid for as we are about 7 tenants in the villa (Studio).
On the 10th of this month, a legal notice came from the court showing First Gulf Properties that the landlord should appear in the court. He didn't show up to which.
Yesterday, another same one was sent to him to appear today of which I doubt he did go because all his numbers are off. I need to know what's my right in this.
NB: This property is in Abu Dhabi and I have a copy of the landlord's Emirates ID. I even took a picture of him and my husband with the agent, and a copy of the cheque I gave to him the day we signed the contract.
Please advise me.
Thank you very much as I wait for your swift advice.

Jan 29, 2018
461
Termination of tenancy due to hidden fault of the premises
0
Q: Hi, I only recently rented a small 1 BR in Mirdiff Ghoroob gated community. However, it has been brought to my attention a constant presence of unbearable sewage smell at night time which disturbs my sleep almost every night. I spoke to the property and maintenance office and only realised that the stench is not caused inside the community but by the closeness of the sewage plant treatment.
I am afraid I cannot get used to living in such an environment especially since I suffer from respiratory allergies. I already filed a complaint to the municipality but nobody came to resolve it. I feel I am stuck and doomed because the agency failed to mention this ongoing problem which was unfair and unethical.
Can you please help?
Thank you. Lana

Jan 15, 2017
2429
What can I do if the real estate agent refuses to hand the house after payment?

1
Q: I have a two-pronged question.
I was looking to rent a house and I've paid the first three months, deposit, and agent fees together. I've also signed a contract.
The agent has refused to give us the keys until we give him the SEWA deposit as well. Now at this point, I'm having misgivings about the agent. The agency is not listed on the Sharjah government's RERA website.
The agent showed us a free zone license which is valid till September 30th. The agent also keeps insisting on cash and is not sending us a copy of the contract we signed.
At this point, should I give him any more money or can I insist on receiving the house keys first?
The tenancy is supposed to start on the 1st of October, but previously he had told us that we would get the keys as soon as we pay the first installment.
Also secondly, if the agency is listed as a free zone business, is it not required to be registered on the Sharjah government website?


Sep 27, 2023
262
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allWhat You Should Know While Renting a Property in the UAE 5
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.
Feb 24, 2020
3945
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allLaw No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 12
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.
Nov 26, 2007
24307
Law No. (33) of 2008 Amending Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 8
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.
Dec 1, 2008
24993
Decree No. (26) of 2013 Concerning the Rent Disputes Settlement Centre in the Emirate of Dubai 0
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.
Sep 18, 2013
7300

Premium
Other answers by
337 337 answers •
View allCan a debt agency access AECB reports without consent for a 15-year-old closed case? 0
Dear Respected Lawyers,
Subject: Request for Legal Advice Regarding Unlawful Practices by a Debt Collection Agency
I would greatly appreciate your advice and guidance regarding a troubling issue my colleague is facing with a collection agency.
The company has been contacting the employer, urging them to ask my colleague to get in touch with them regarding a supposed liability.
This claim is related to a 15-year-old closed dispute with a bank credit card, and the issue seems to stem from outdated and inaccurate information on the AECB report.
Our main concerns are as follows:
Unauthorized Access: The company is accessing her AECB report without her consent. She has never given permission for them to retrieve or view her personal financial information.
How is it possible for a third-party agency to openly access and track AECB reports, especially for a dispute that was resolved 15 years ago?
Apr 8, 2025
83
I was evicted from my apartment to be sold but it was gifted and rented at a higher price. What can I do? 0
I was evicted from my apartment after living there for five years. My landlord informed me a year in advance that the lease would not be renewed because he intended to sell the property.
Prior to this, he attempted to impose a rent increase that was not compliant with RERA regulations, which I refused to accept. He then served me with an official Dubai Court eviction notice, citing the need to take back the property for sale.
Five months after I moved out, I discovered the property was rented out at a much higher price. Upon further investigation, I found that the ownership was transferred as a "Gift" rather than a sale.
This makes it seem like the eviction was only to raise the rent rather than a genuine need to sell.
Do I have a valid case for wrongful eviction against my landlord?
Also, under Dubai law, does transferring ownership as a "Gift" hold the same legal grounds as selling in justifying eviction?
Dec 18, 2024
99
Can I file a case for cyberbullying or defamation after my ex-wife's abusive messages? 0
Hello,
My ex-wife has abused me in chat and called me the following: illiterate, beggar, and said that I don’t have [------].
She called me a bad parent and a bad son.
Can I file a cyberbullying, defamation, or abuse case against her? What are my options?
Jan 3, 2025
119
I invested money in a business but my partner is removing me out from partnership. Can I pursue legal action? 0
Hi
I'm an Irish citizen and a resident of the United Kingdom. I got investment fraud in Dubai. I invested money into a business with a Pakistani national guy in March 2024 via bank transfer into his business account.
Now he's giving back the money which I invested in business after 9 months. He's preparing a letter from a local lawyer to kick me out of the business. I do not have any other option than to take out at least my money.
But it's unfair to me that he used my money in business and took all the advantage.
Some people say to me that if you claim money or take legal action against him, it will take too much time and I need to travel to Dubai to appear in court because it is a civil matter. But I'm not a resident.
How can I follow the civil case there?
That's why my partner knows that I can not do anything and this case keeps running long time and in the end nothing happens. But I'm thinking that I will submit a complaint through my embassy and I also have a solicitor in the United Kingdom.
Dec 24, 2024
61
Seeking justice and compensation for wife's loss due to medical negligence during childbirth 0
Dear Lawyers,
My relative lost his wife during childbirth due to clear medical negligence, as stated in the report from the DHA medical committee.
He had to relocate to India due to the situation and is currently working there.
Please guide us on the steps to take for justice and compensation.
Dec 19, 2024
87
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