Q: I am in the process of renewing my tenancy contract. It's already been 10 days since my last contract expired. However, I have asked the landlord for a grace period of 3 weeks to hand over the rent cheques (3) for the year. The landlord is threatening to evict me... please advise what I should do. I am in a financial situation and can pay only after 3 weeks. My family and children are with me.

Q: What could be consequences if my rental cheque is returned? Do I have 2-3 months after the date of the cheque to arrange the necessary amount? What is the worst case scenario for me?

Q: Dear Sir, I need an advice on my three rental cheques of AED 4800 each, which bounced in Sharjah and the landlord has filed a complaint in Sharjah Police Station. Alongside, the court has ordered to vacate the place. I have been jobless for the last 15 months and I have told the judge about my condition. What do I have to do now? As per the new rule on cheque bounce, can I hire a lawyer and pay a fine for my bounced cheque and be released from the police station so that I can apply for a new job? Please guide me.

Q: Is the case filed at the Rental Dispute Center in Dubai considered a civil case? Will you be banned from travelling if you have a case with the Rental Dispute Center? What if the flat occupied has no contract but has used the guarantee cheque to bounce the cheque and file a criminal case? Thank you for your time and reply

Q: Hi Sir, I am staying in a shared apartment for the last six months. No tenancy contract. I couldn't pay the rent for August and September. I have given a cheque dated 3rd October, but the landlord is behind me every day. Today, he changed the key and locked the room. What should I do? He is not listening to me. He is shouting at me.

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: Hi, I have a case in Dubai Land Department about a rental dispute. This case was about AED 11359 earlier and now when I checked it became 24000, but anyhow, I had paid AED 6000 and now I have to pay 18000 in 3 instalments. But as I said earlier, this amount is too much and the other party and just made up this amount. I have paid already 18000 and I even have the proof of it, my bank statement and a receipt of 6000. I want your help if you can sort this out. Thanks.

Q: How can I appeal a house rent case if I never stayed in the apartment and did not sign any contract or provided any cheques but did not close the water and electricity account?

Q: The rent is 3300 and he said the cheque return is 1050, and the open case file is 1000 while the closed case file is 2100. I told him to allow me to split the payment; first I would pay the rent and pay the legal fees with one cheque, but he said no that I needed to pay the full amount at once. So I told him I don’t have that amount now that is my fate. He told me to wait for the next hearing and that I would receive another notification from the municipality office after a month that after then they would tell me what to do. I believed him and I was waiting for the second hearing until I received another letter yesterday from the municipality giving me seven days to pay up and vacate the flat. Please, what can I do?

Q: I’m searching for legal advice regarding timing RDC. I have an RDC enforcement case and got the final judgment and payment deadline. I asked the landlord for 6 days extra to make the payment, which will be happening in the next few days. In the meantime, I was contacted yesterday evening by the enforcement team to ask if I had already vacated the property. My question is: 1. How many days are usually granted by the eviction team? I’m speaking about between contacting me regarding the eviction and enforcing eviction. Can they grant me a few days or how does this work? 2. Will the enforcement/eviction team take into account that I spoke to the landlord about a few more days to pay and renew the contract? 3. Will the enforcement team schedule a specific date for eviction or how is this handled? Do they just come without an appointment or do they schedule a specific time and day to come? I cannot get hold of the eviction team - so do they make an appointment to come or how does it work exactly?

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.

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. 

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.