Q: I bought a villa without viewing it on 30-12-2022. It was rented at AED 75,000/year (contract expiry 23-03-2022). The previous landlord served an eviction notice (Sale) in September 2021 to the tenant for 12 months. He also sent an email 90 days before the expiry of the tenancy agreement to the tenant informing him that "the rent increase will be as per RERA guidelines and by him or the new owner if he managed to sell the villa before March 23, 2022". Last week, the tenant sent an email requesting to renew the contract and then on WhatsApp chat he agreed to a rent renewal at AED 100,000. When I sent the tenancy contract to him on WhatsApp, his lawyer sent me a legal notice: 1. Forcing me to renew the contract with AED 75,000 and not as per the RERA increase which will be almost 95,000. The current market is AED 125,000 2. Not allowing me to inspect/view the villa and if I insist, then he will take legal action against me What should I do?

Q: Hello, My tenant refused a legal rent increase according to RERA rental increase calculator and asked me to find a new tenant. After a couple of weeks, he changed his mind and didn't want to move out and didn't accept the increase saying that it is now less than 90 days to the end of the contract and I didn't send him notice through a notary. If I file a case at RDC, who pays for all the RDC fees and lawyer fees? Does he have to pay for RDC fees and my lawyer fees as I have to pay RDC fees first in order for the process to start?

Q: I am a landlord. Can the rent increase notice be sent by email to the tenant? If the tenant does not agree to the rent increase, will this notice be enough to file in RERA?

Q: Hi, My landlord, through his agent, sent an email for a rent increase 86 days before my lease expires. The mail, unfortunately, went to the spam folder & was deleted before I could reply to it. I reached out to renew the contract. The landlord is insisting I renew at the rent mentioned in the mail as there was no response earlier and has even threatened eviction. Can I challenge this? Or can my lack of response to the earlier communication be taken as being an agreement to the new rent?

Q: Good day everyone! I am looking for some advice. We are renting a bedroom hall for 40000. Our contract will end in November. He sent us a notice informing us that he will increase it to 50000. I have asked them to lower it. He made it 48k increase, but he is increasing over the rental index. As per Land Department, the rental index is 6k. If I file a case against him, is there any chance that I could win the case? And how much do I need to pay in filing a case? Thank you in advance!

Q: Hi, My villa is rented since August 2018 for 155000 pa, payment was agreed upon by 2 cheques, and Ejari was registered in 2018. In August 2020 (COVID Time), I was outside the UAE and the tenant asked me to lower the rent to 142000 and offered to pay monthly rental payments by bank transfer. Due to the COVID situation, I accepted his offer by email and since then, the tenant pays rent monthly through bank transfers. In April 2022 (which is 90 days to renewal in August 2022), I sent him an email to rent review as the rental value for my villa increased. However, the tenant did not agree and kept saying there is no rent increase for my villa. We exchanged several emails. and no conclusion. Now in October 2022, I have obtained a rental valuation certificate from DLD which states the current rental value is 200000. I will appreciate your advice about how to proceed with the rental increase, and what is my legal position in this issue. The tenancy agreement and Ejari are officially not renewed for the last few years.

Q: Good morning, I've been renting a villa on an annual lease since 1st March 2021. In November 2021 (90 days' notice), the landlord informed me that he would be increasing the rent by just over 20%. This was above the RERA rental calculator but we talked and agreed on 10%. In November 2022, I received an email stating that he would be raising the rent by 33%. Nearly 50% in 2 years. We've talked again but cannot reach an agreement. The RERA calculator states no increase allowable. I have now been told that he will be selling the property and received a recorded delivery (12-month) notice of eviction dated November 25th, 2022. 1. Law 33, 2008 states that the 12-month notice should be given upon expiry of the lease. Should the contract be renewed for one more year from 1st March 2023 to 29th Feb 2024? 2. Should evidence be provided to corroborate the intention to sell the property? 3. What rights do I have to ensure that the property is indeed being sold and not re-let at the higher rent?

Q: I have rented an apartment in Dubai (business bay). My rent is up for renewal in May. A few weeks ago the landlord asked if I wanted to renew and I said yes. Checking the RERA calculator, he is permitted to increase my rent by 10%. I agreed to that. He is asking for more and I declined his offer and mentioned that I would only pay the 10% increase. He then said he is not willing to bargain and simply will not renew my contract. I told him I did not accept that. He then made reference to a clause in the contract that says “A ninety days' notice in writing should be given by the landlord to the tenant if the landlord wishes to review the rent in accordance with the applicable RERA law at the relevant time for renewal OR if the landlord wishes to terminate the contract”. He is relying on the second part of this statement for his argument. Can he decide not to renew my contract? Please note he has not submitted any valuation certificate. Thank you!

Q: I'm staying in JLT in a house with a rent of AED 140,000 per year. The lease starts on 1st Sep '23 and expires on 31st Aug '24. The landlord sent me a legal notice from the Dubai Courts in mid-Sep '23, giving me 1-year notice to vacate the house as he plans to sell the house. The notice was received by me through email from the court. He claims the email notice sent by the court is not valid till I receive it by courier via Aramex for my physical signature. Can you please confirm if this is true? The landlord is now ready to let me stay in this house for two more years. He has proposed that we maintain the existing lease agreement and Ejari. However, I should pay him AED 14,000 in cash (10% increment). We will sign a separate paper document wherein we will agree that I will further rent increase of 10% (10% on (140,000+14,000)) on 1st Sep'24 when my current lease expires. Should I insist on making a fresh written contract with the higher rent (140,000+14,000=154,000)?

Q: Hi, I have concerns regarding the real estate increasing the rent without prior notice. Just what happened today, we were about to submit the renewal documents and cheque as per their confirmation in the email for the new rent. Suddenly, they asked for another increase during the submission/renewal date without prior notice. How do we handle this unfair notice?

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.

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.