Q: Dear sir/madam, My landlord is asking for a rent increase exceeding RERA rental index guidance, and less than 90 days from the end of the existing lease. I have stated that renewal should take place at existing rent and existing terms since renewal notice was not sent at least 90 days before the end of the current term, however, I have agreed to increase the rent as per the RERA index in good faith. However, the landlord's agent is stating that the landlord can pull out a valuation from RERA and get a 20% increase (instead of 10% as currently asked, and 5% as per the RERA Index). What are my options?

Q: Hello, My landlord wants to increase the rent by almost 10%, but according to RERA calculator, it should not be any increase. Can I issue cheques for a new lease for the next year, print and sign the new tenancy contract on the same conditions and bring it to the RDC to open "Offer and Deposit"? Or should I open "Petition" in RDC? What is the legal procedure for this if the landlord doesn't accept to renew the tenancy contract on the same conditions? Thank you!

Q: Hi, My landlord is going to increase the apartment rent from the next renewal. They are increasing by almost 20%. Is the 'three-year rent freeze' in Dubai for residential buildings applicable for this case?

Q: Dear sir/madam, The real estate agent representing the landlord sent me an email 88 days before the end of the contract asking for a 26% increase (from 56k to 70k). I refused and then they offered me 61k and I refused again. Now (55 days before the end of the contract), they have sent me a valuation certificate that states 70k as they wanted. They said that the 61k offer is gone now as they paid to get the valuation certificate. Should I go to RDC or accept this increase?

Q: I am a tenant and for the last 3 years, my landlord has been arguing about the rent. I always say I will pay as per RERA. Last year in Jan 2022, he gave a court-attested notice to sell. All year he has been threatening to throw me out and not to renew if I don't agree to his demands of an 80% rent increase. He has only done 1 viewing in the last 12 months (the property is not listed on any website). He is willing to let me stay if I accept an 80% increase in rent, otherwise, he is asking me to leave (refuses to give this offer in writing). He is saying he has enough evidence to show he tried to sell and after I leave he will keep empty for 2 months and then rent it out. I have emails from past years. During this year, I have had some WhatsApp messages but he is refusing to give the actual renewal offer in writing. If he gives me a drafted Ejari physically & gets my signature first before signing himself, will I still be able to take it as evidence to RDC? Or will the RDC say I have agreed to the new terms by signing the new Ejari?

Q: Dear All, My rent renewal is due in April 2023 and currently paying AED 143000. The RERA Rental Index calculation shows an increase of 10%. The landlord sent a letter (90 days prior) along with a DLD valuation certificate attached stating that the rent will be increased to AED 220,000 (a 50%+ increase) based on the assessment of the property. Are there any options available to be able to contest this sizeable increase? (RDC will state that the landlord can use the valuation certificate to increase the rent now). Many thanks for your help.

Q: Hello, I hope you are doing well! I really need some advice. I'm renewing my contract in a few months and the landlord was asking for AED 60000. The maximum increase according to the RERA index is AED 50,820 which was my proposal. The owner responded by saying that they want AED 55000 as the rent. I am confused because I thought by law the maximum increase would be within the RERA index. If I don't agree to the owner's rate, would I be compromised in any way? Please assist me. Thank you.

Q: Dear Lawyers, My Dubai landlord is proposing a 9.52% rent increase, which I believe is unlawful. The current rent falls within the RERA rental index range, and no increase is permitted according to the index. The landlord’s representative has been uncooperative in providing proof of a Power of Attorney (POA) or any justification for the proposed increase. Questions: 1. Whose responsibility is it to submit a dispute to RERA/RDSC if the proposed rent increase is unlawful—the landlord's or the tenant's? 2. What evidence is required from the landlord (or their representative) to legally justify a rent increase that exceeds what RERA allows? 3. If the Ejari is not renewed due to a dispute at RDSC, will utilities (e.g., DEWA) and services be affected for the tenant?

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.

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.