Q: Hi, A Dubai Sports City apartment was rented out. The tenant was served a 12 months' notice (reason to sell). The tenant terminated the contract with 2 months' notice and 1-month penalty, 6 months early. The apartment cannot be sold now due to the market conditions, and thinking of renting the apartment out again for a lower rent than before. The apartment is mortgaged so need to rent out. Dubai rental law says that the apartment cannot be rented for 2 years if the tenant is evicted. But as the tenant terminated the contract 4 months early, does it nullify my eviction notice to him? 1. In this case, am I prohibited from renting out the apartment for 2 years? 2. Can my previous tenant take me to the Rental Dispute Center (RDC) though he ended the contract early? 3. If he is successful at the RDC what can the judge award him? He owns several apartments himself in Dubai and moved into one of them. What could the RDC award him in this case? 4. Any other implications for me renting the apartment out again bearing in mind all the above? Any advice appreciated. Thank you

Q: Dear Sirs I will appreciate your kind advice regarding my case. I am renting from the landlord since 3 years now, all payments are done on time and even I am doing maintenance for things in my house which I am not supposed to do but to maintain the property in good shape out of goodwill. I received an email from my landlord asking for renewal as per the agreement, 3 months prior to the termination of my current contract. I visited them and handed over the new cheques for the new rental year in advance and signed the new tenancy contract. Now I discovered that he may be selling the property and may not renew my contract despite receiving my cheques and delaying EJARI renewal. I still have 2 months to go in the current contract. my question to you is, are they allowed to renew or to compensate if they already took my cheques for the new year rental and exchange of emails with the same is available? What are my legal rights here? Thanks and have a great day.

Q: I recently purchased a property in Springs which is rented till September. I need legal advice on the procedure to send an eviction notice to my tenant as I need to occupy the property for personal use. As far as I read in the RERA legislation Page 108-110, Article (25) - Section - 2, if the landlord wants to occupy the property for personal use, 90 days notice is sufficient. But the tenant insists to have a 12-month notice. What are my options and is it possible to send a legal notice to the tenant to vacate the premises at the end of the rent contract? Kindly advise

Q: Dear sir/madam, I have a case in RDC (RERA). I forgot to cancel my tenancy contract in 2017, and now my landlord has filed a case against me (they automatically renewed my contract without my concern), demanding that I pay the entire four-year payment. He wants to impose a travel ban. Please give me advice on how I can solve this issue!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

This Decree determines the maximum percentage of rent increase for real property in the Emirate of Dubai when renewing lease contracts.