Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
5 available 5 • View allhow to hand over a rented office and avoid paying rent if denied access by landlord
1
Q: A company has rented a small office in a business center, but has been unable to pay the rent for a few months since the COVID-19 lockdown.
The business center has locked up the office, preventing access and usage, but continues to accrue the new unpaid rents as being due even though the company has no access to use the premises. Is this legal?
The lease mentions that the landlord is allowed to lock up the office in case of late payments, but I had in mind that was illegal, hence that this clause was invalid, and that the company should have access to the office and to retrieve its belonging from there.
Thanks,
E.

Oct 26, 2020
268
How can I settle unpaid office rent with the landlord?
0
Q: We are tenants for the past 18 years. Due to the business failure for 3 years, we are unable to pay the rent for now nearly 3 years and waiting for the landlord to say to vacate and go without penalizing us.
However, now they have come to us and saying that we need to pay all the 3 years of rent. Failing to do so, the landlord will send the police to vacate us.
Please can you advise us on the solution?
We just want to move out from here as we cannot afford to pay the rent.
Is there any help for us?

Jul 1, 2022
208
How to evict a tenant who committed default on payments
4
Q: Hi, my tenant is a company and has not paid the rent for past two months. I have filed a police complaint and eviction notice from the court. He keeps on saying he will pay every week but does not honour his deadlines.
I do not wish to keep him as a tenant as this will always be a problem with him given his attitude and do not wish to waste my time.
I want him to vacate even if he pays now. Please help.

Jul 12, 2017
2471
Can a landlord raise the rent before lease renewal, and can we refuse?


1
Q: We want to renew a rental agreement for the commercial estate. We informed the landlord 3 months prior to the expiry of the contract of our decision to renew.
Now, 2 months prior to the expiry date, the landlord informs us that he wants to increase the rent.
Can we refuse this increase?
Does the landlord have an opportunity not to renew the agreement with us if we refuse?



Feb 2, 2023
189
A tenant has delayed rent payment for 15 days. Can I file an eviction notice?



3
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I have an apartment in Dubai, and I rented it on a monthly basis to an Iranian national. Now, every month his cheque bounces, and he makes the rent payment after 15 days. This has happened twice now.
Can I file an eviction notice? Also, is this considered a breach of contract, and can I claim 2 months' penalty rent from the tenant?




Mar 25, 2024
551
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allIs COVID-19 a Force Majeure Event? 10
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.
Apr 7, 2020
2249
My Tenant Stopped Paying Rent & Became Unresponsive, What Should I Do? 6
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.
Feb 11, 2020
14864
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
24290
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
24955
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
7292

Other answers by
249 249 answers •
View allAssistance with clearing a police case and lifting a travel ban in the UAE 0
Good day!
I have rental disputes and got a settlement plan 8 months ago.
But I did not pay the settlement because at the moment of applying for the settlement plan, I had a job offer and lost it because of the travel ban and the visa could not be processed.
I have another personal police case where I already paid an amount of 18,000 and the claim was 40,000 dirhams. Now that I did not continue paying, the plaintiff put the case again.
I have another offer letter now and I want to get a clearance certificate within 48 hrs, or else I might lose this job as well.
Kindly advise
Sep 7, 2022
316
I bought a new vehicle from the dealership with a hidden defect. What can I do? 0
I bought a new vehicle from the dealership [-----] and after 5 min of using the car, an alert popped up. Less than 24h later I informed the dealers of the issue.
After struggling with them about it, I finally brought the car to service at their company and they have confirmed the part needs to be fully changed.
I’m telling them I cannot accept a faulty car and demand either a refund or another vehicle. So far they’ve been less than cooperative.
Oct 5, 2022
243
How to know the judgment when the portal says "decided"? 0
Dear sir/madam,
There is a case against me in a commercial, full-jurisdiction court. Sorry if I'm getting this wrong. I have not participated in the case and on the advice of my UK lawyers, I have not been represented there in Dubai.
Upon checking the portal, it says a judgment was reached yesterday, but I can't see further details. So my questions are:
1) Do judgments happen behind closed doors or in front of the lawyers? (the plaintiffs have lawyers)
2) How long does it usually take for the verdict to be public and for me to see the outcome of the case?
The only thing it says online is the word "decided".
Oct 19, 2022
665
Getting deported from the UAE while the medical checkups are good. What to do? 0
Hi there,
I got deported from the UAE for failing medical but when I reached my country, I have done several medical checkups but everything is OK; HIV negative, no hepatitis B, etc.
I don't know if there was a mistake or a misfortune for me. I am wondering if they can allow me to come back to Dubai.
Sep 1, 2022
755
Is it mandatory to visit the CID in person to update my records? 0
Respected Advisors,
I have been involved in a few criminal cases since 2017, but all of them were cleared by this year. I have obtained release letters for all the cases from the public prosecution office through an online portal.
Recently, I also received my residence visa. After the visa process was completed, I applied for a PCC online. However, the request was rejected.
I contacted the 901 office, and they advised me to visit the CID. I arranged for a power of attorney to be granted along with all the necessary documents to update the system.
Twice I was told to come in person, but I am hesitant to do so because of my previous negative experience.
Could someone please advise me whether I must go in person or if the person holding the power of attorney can handle the process?
Thank you!
Nov 15, 2023
672
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