Q: On 20th April, we paid 5% agency fee and 5% landlord deposit for a new property rental contract, ready to move in on the 1st May. A week after the 20th April, we contacted the agent and landlord to request to urgently pull out of the agreement due to husband losing his job. We lost the 5% deposit to the landlord as he insisted on cashing our cheque. However, are we entitled to ask for the 5% agency fee back as we didn't even move into the new property? We have tried to contact the agent but he is not communicating with us.

Q: Is it possible to cancel a property rental contract before the designated move-in date that has been signed already? What are the rights of the landlord on my cheques that have been given to him already? Will I have to pay any fees even though I have not received the keys to the place yet, and I am also unable to move due to the COVID-19 lockdown?

س: السلام عليكم، لدي استشارة قانونية بخصوص إيجار شقة. استأجرت شقة من مالك بناية بعقد لمدة سنة ولم أستطع الوفاء بآخر دفعة وارتد الشيك الخاص بها. طلبت من الشركة المسؤولة عن إيجار الشقة تقسيط الشيك وأبقى في الشقة، رفضت وطلبت مني إخلاء الشقة بدون أخذ أي أغراض منها. أخذت الملابس والأشياء الضرورية وبقيت جميع الأغراض في الشقة. أخبروني أني أستطيع أخذ الأغراض في حال سداد قيمة الشيك. حصلت ظروف واستمر الحال لأكثر من سنة ولم يتصل بي أي شخص من قبل الشركة إلا بعد سنتين تقريبًا بحجة عدم مقدرتهم على التواصل معي. الآن يطالبونني بسداد قيمة الإيجار عن سنتين! علمًا بأنني لم أسكن في الشقة طيلة هذه الفترة. ما الحل؟ لدي ما يثبت أنني لم أشغل الشقة؛ مثل فاتورة الكهرباء التي لا يوجد فيها أي مبلغ لأنها لم تستخدم منذ ذلك الوقت. طلب مني المكتب إخلاء الشقة من الأغراض، ولكني أخشى حين أخلي الشقة الآن أن يكون ذلك بمثابة إثبات أني كنت أستخدمها! أفيدوني باستشارتكم. لكم مني جزيل الشكر!

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.

An interview-format article covering the topic of defaulting on commercial lease in the UAE and related procedures. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW. In this article, Ludmila discusses what one should do if the tenant becomes unresponsive.

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.

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.

This Bylaw regulates the Real Estate Brokers Register in the Emirate of Dubai. No person may engage in real estate brokerage activities in Dubai unless he is licensed by the competent entities and entered in the register, which is maintained by Dubai Land Department.

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.