Q: I had to evacuate the apartment due to a case filed by my landlord in RDC in March 2018 on unpaid rent of AED 30,000. The keys were handed over to RDC. I am going through severe financial issues and it is very difficult for me to arrange the said amount. The landlord has also filed a case of bounced cheque. What remedies do I have as my financial situation is quite stressed to get rid of this case?

Q: Dear Dr Amira, I have a legal case against me for unpaid house rent in Abu Dhabi. I am not sure what to do, shall I go to the judge and ask him to pay a downpayment? Or shall I go to the property owner to make a settlement? My only concern is that I don't want to have a travel ban. I have started a new job and it requires me to travel to Oman. Please advise, I really don't know what to do. My husband is jobless since a long time and so was I. Thank god I found a job but I have a lot of liabilities to settle, and with 4 kids, it's really difficult to survive. Please help me with advice. Thanks a lot. D.

Q: Dear Sir, I haven't paid rent to my landlord since Feb '21 till date. The contract expired on Nov '21. I have been staying since then without a contract. While my phone calls - were disconnected since Dec '21, I did not hear from the landlord via Whatsapp or e-mail as well. And I also did not contact him. Today the landlord came and said that the court people came 2 months ago, to check if I was there. However the building management say they never were asked by any people about my whereabouts. My landlord says he wants me to vacate within 2 days. Pending rent is for 13 months. 9 months of the contract period and four months of non-contract period. Today I paid him 25,000 and tomorrow we will draw up an agreement plan for the balance payment of AED 67,000. The landlord has AED 13,000 of my deposit with him. Can I request a 30 days eviction period from the landlord? As I have not gotten any formal notice as yet. I know i am still in the wrong. Please advise. Thank you

Q: Dear sir/madam, I have 3 checks amounting to 13980.00 AED bounced by my real estate but under a single case reference number. There is a cheque bounce case since 2020 before the new law. The discussions with the third party were unsuccessful. My concern is: 1. How much should I pay to remove my travel ban? 2. Will they collect my passport when I am paying? 3. Should I go to the police station in-person or someone can do it for me? 4. Will there be an arrest? The cheque was from my SAIF zone company account and when it bounced, I closed the account. So the check bounce was on the grounds of a closed account.

Q: Hi, In late 2019, I had a court case ruled against me in Dubai for unpaid rent. To avoid a travel ban, I left the country before the verdict was announced. Now, I want to find a solution so that I will not face any issues if I decide to return to Dubai. - I wish to know if the case will be automatically dropped after some time. - What options can you suggest to fix my issue? Many thanks!

Q: I'm facing a rental problem because I couldn't pay rent for nearly 2 years due to a lack of income and a bad credit score, which prevents me from getting any loans or credit. My family includes two school-aged kids (small daughters, 4 and 7 Years). I know I might face legal consequences, and I want to know what I can do to avoid going to jail. I'm committed to sorting out the rent issue, even if it means repaying it when I find a stable income. Please guide me on what steps I can take in this situation. Thank you

Q: Hello. I had a rental dispute with my tenant and everything was in my favour. I put a travel ban and blocked her RTA and bank account. But I got to know from Dubai police that she fled the country 1 day before the travel ban was imposed. Can there be anything done?

In the UAE, cheque bounce is a very frequent problem faced by people during their span in the country. It is covered under the purview of Commercial Transactions Law, and legal implications/penalties can be financially severe and daunting for more “serious” offenses. Bounced cheque issues may arise in a variety of commercial transactions, including but not limited to, companies’ exchanges, bank loans, property rents or purchases, and individual transactions.

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 Law promulgates the Federal Penal Code (Criminal Law) of the United Arab Emirates. Crimes and chastisement punishments shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other penal codes.

This Law applies to merchants, as well as to all acts of commerce carried out in the UAE by any person even though he be not a trader. Commercial matters regarding which specific Federal laws are issued shall be subject to the provisions of such laws, and to the provisions hereof which do not contradict with said laws.

The provisions of this Decree by Law amend the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 by replacing Clause (4) of Article (379) as well as Articles (600), (617), (641), (642), (643), (644), and adding new articles numbered (635) Bis, (641) Bis (1), (641) Bis (2), (641) Bis (3), (641) Bis (4), (643) Bis (1), (643) Bis (2), (644) Bis (1) and (644) Bis (2). The Decree-Law also repeals Articles (401), (402) and (403) of the Federal Law No. (3) of 1987.