Q: Good morning, I've been renting a villa on an annual lease since 1st March 2021. In November 2021 (90 days' notice), the landlord informed me that he would be increasing the rent by just over 20%. This was above the RERA rental calculator but we talked and agreed on 10%. In November 2022, I received an email stating that he would be raising the rent by 33%. Nearly 50% in 2 years. We've talked again but cannot reach an agreement. The RERA calculator states no increase allowable. I have now been told that he will be selling the property and received a recorded delivery (12-month) notice of eviction dated November 25th, 2022. 1. Law 33, 2008 states that the 12-month notice should be given upon expiry of the lease. Should the contract be renewed for one more year from 1st March 2023 to 29th Feb 2024? 2. Should evidence be provided to corroborate the intention to sell the property? 3. What rights do I have to ensure that the property is indeed being sold and not re-let at the higher rent?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, The landlord sent me a 90-day notice for a rent increase in his personal email. The email address he used was not the one listed on the tenancy contract. Is this notice legally binding? His rent increase exceeds the RERA index by a lot. If I refuse the increase, can he evict me?

Q: Greetings, I've been renting the property I'm living at for one year now. The contract was renewed and we agreed on an increase a bit beyond the 5% specified in the contract. 3 weeks before renewing, I was contacted by a real estate agent "coordinating the contract renewal". I found out later that this agent offered another tenant who would pay about 20k more for renting the property. But my landlord couldn't just kick me out because we already agreed on renewing and he has to give me a 1-year notice. We renewed the contract and signed it, and 2 weeks later, I received an eviction notice on my email. When I asked my landlord about it, he said "I need the property to be vacated so that I can live in it". He has about 12 properties he rents, and out of the blue now he wants to live in this specific one where this "agent" is offering tenants a higher rent. Is it even legal to give an eviction notice so that he can charge higher rent? What can I do now?

Q: I am staying in a rented house in JLT, Dubai. My lease agreement is due for renewal today on 1st Sep'23. The landlord had sent me a notice 3 months earlier asking for a rent increase of 15%. I responded to him the same day and showed him that the RERA rent calculator showed no increase. He agreed through his agent (verbally) to keep the rent the same as last year. Today he sent me a notice that he wants me to allow viewings of the property to third parties as he wishes to sell the property. Can he force me to vacate the house or allow these viewings? Does he not have to give me 12 months' notice as my lease renewal date is today and he is yet to sign the new lease with me? What rights do I have if he doesn't sell the property and gives it to someone else at higher rent after I vacate the house?

Q: As'salaam Alaikum, Good Morning! I live in Dubai and have rented an apartment since November 14, 2022, which I renewed on November 13, 2023, for a year at an amount of 41,800 AED (4 cheques). Three to four months ago, the owner sold the apartment to a new person, and I had to change 2 payment cheques to the name of the new owner, one of which has already been encashed. Now, as the renewal date (November 13) approaches, the new owner is asking for a rent increase of 5,000 AED. I live in Dubai Silicon Oasis, and according to the RERA rental index, the maximum rent increase is 2,090 AED, which I informed the new owner. However, the new owner insists that, according to RERA, they can increase the rent by 5,000 AED. I have researched extensively but found no information indicating that a new owner can increase the rent by this amount. Could you please clarify if the new owner can increase the rent by 5,000 AED? How should I proceed if the new owner goes against RERA guidelines?

Q: Dear Lawyers, What are my rights in terms of eviction? My landlord tried to increase my rent by 20% (per the RERA system, they were entitled to zero increase). We offered inflation as a response (all done via email). After they accused us of being cheap and we reminded them that the system indicated no increase was applicable, they issued us an eviction notice for "family use." We have since moved out, but now they are saying they will be selling the property and are providing us with a long list of maintenance items they want to withhold from the deposit (replacing water heaters, roof tiles, wheels on sliding doors), all of which were functioning properly during the nearly 3 years we lived in the house. We suspect that now we are out, they will refuse to refund the deposit and will rent the house out again. I have heard you can block the registration of a new Ejari for rental. What is the process for this, and do I have any other rights based on the above situation? Thanks!

Q: Good afternoon, Ramadan Kareem! The owner of the property I’m renting has sent me an eviction notice so he can sell the property. According to the notice, I am required to leave. My questions are: 1. If the owner rents the property again, how can I obtain the new Ejari as proof that the property has been rented? 2. Do I have the right to ask for compensation? On what basis is compensation determined? 3. I currently have a signed tenancy contract with the owner. Do I need an Ejari to raise a case? Thank you! Wish you a great day ahead.

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. 

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