Q: Is a non-renewable residential tenancy contract legal in Dubai? My landlord is insisting on putting a new line in the addendum stating that the contract is not renewable. Thank you.

Q: Is it necessary to send a letter for renewal of the tenancy contract to the tenant? If so, how many days should be before we can give a notice? Can we ask for the documents and cheque before the end of the contract for the subsequent year renewal?

Q: Dear sir/madam, I was not aware of the 90 days prior information to be provided to the landlord and neither the agency told me about it while signing the contract. It is nowhere mentioned on the contract that I should notify 90 days prior to the end of the contract term. I did inform them 26 days before vacating and then the agency told me that I should have informed them 90 days prior and now there will be a penalty. I feel cheated through the lack of information provided. What to do in this case?

Q: Hi, The real estate agency that leased me the apartment included: "Tenant confirmed that they will vacate the property after the end of the contract" under additional terms in my Ejari without consulting me. They wanted me to vacate last year or increase the rent way above the RERA recommended increase. Can I renew my tenancy contract as per RERA guidelines this year? I haven't received any DLD or other notice from my landlord.

Q: Dear Lawyers, My tenancy contract contains a 1-year non-renewable term. I understand that even if this is written in the contract, it is not legally binding and they must still follow the proper procedure. If they don't make contact within the 90-day period, are we entitled to stay in the apartment because they missed the threshold?

Q: Dear Lawyers, While signing a rental renewal contract, the following clause is added: "This contract is a non-renewable contract, and the tenant agrees to vacate the premises at the end of the tenancy contract. He acknowledges that he has no right to file or claim in the future any lawsuit or compensation claim against the owner regarding this property, including what’s in it." The tenant signs the contract. My questions are: Q1. Is it legally enforceable within the UAE legal system, as it basically contradicts the basic rights of residents and tenants in the UAE? "No one has the right to prevent another person from resorting to the judiciary." Q2. This was used as a pressure instrument by the landlord as a condition of renewal after serving an eviction notice. This is all documented over emails. Q3. Can I sue the landlord for using the pressure tactic of serving me an eviction notice, pressing me for a rental increase, and making me sign this clause? All communications are documented.

Q: Dear all, I have a question regarding my rental contract. There is an additional term stating: "The tenant agrees that the rent will increase after 2 years by 10% or as per the RERA rules and regulations." Is this legal? Does it mean the landlord does not have to give us a 90-day notice after 2 years if they want to increase the rent?

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.

بطبعه وطبيعته، كان القانون وما زال كائناً متطوراً وجسداً متجدداً، ولولا هذه الصفات فيه، لما حقق الغرض الذي من أجله خُلق ووُضع. وسمات التطور والتجدد ليست قاصرةً على فرع دون آخر، أو نوع من بين الأنواع، بل هي سمات ملحوظة في القانونين العام والخاص، وفي المجالين، الموضوعي والإجرائي.

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 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.