Q: This is specifically related to Ras Al Khaimah. The tenant refuses to pay the rent, has not registered or renewed the expired tenancy, has bounced cheques issued for the annual maintenance charges and refuses to move out. What can be done, please?

Q: Dear Sir I have 2 cases registered in a Dubai police station under rental cheque bounce, with a value of 13000 & 18000. What will be the consequences? Will police detain me if I go to them or what will happen, Sir? Please let me know. Thanks

Q: Hi, I paid my rent in 4 cheques in the landlord's name and a 5th cheque as a rental fee to the agency. The agency cheque was cashed straight away. The landlord only cashed the third and fourth rental cheques saying there were problems with his bank account. He says he does not have the first and second cheques and never received them from the agency (the agency paid all the cheques to his bank directly). The first two cheques had gone past 6 months and the bank no longer accepts them. I refused to issue the 2 replacement cheques unless I get the old ones back. I have already left the property. What are the legal implications? Can he sue me for non-payment? What do you recommend as a solution? I have photocopies of the 4 cheques (including the last 2 he cashed). The flat is in Dubai. It was a non-Rera registered agreement. Thank you!

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.

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.

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.

The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.