Q: Hello, I have the impression that my owner will send me an eviction notice of 12 months if I do not accept to pay the rent increase he is asking for. The rent increase is not allowed as the rental index is less than what I am currently paying. In that case, it means I will need to move from the flat in 12 months. Is it right? In this case, he cannot re-rent his flat within 2 years, right? Many thanks!

Q: Hi, I received a call from the landlord that he wants to sell the property and is not planning to renew our contract which will end on the last of the next February. He requested us to pay the last quarter cheque in cash. Please tell me about my legal situation and the right advice in the following cases: 1- What is your advice regarding paying the last quarter into cash (as he said that he closed his bank accounts)? 2- Does he has a right to ask me to leave the apartment before 3 months? 3- Is it right that as per Dubai law, he cannot increase the rent unless we continue for 3 years? Thanks in advance!

Q: Dear sir/madam, I have been asked by the landlord to leave the property by the end of the contract and he doesn't want to renew it. He is going to sell the apartment. I confirmed over email that I will start looking for an apartment on the due dates. The property suits me for my kids' school and I cannot move away from the location. Upon checking into the area, there is not a single apartment available that can suit my requirements. 1. What happens if I want more time after the tenancy period expiry to look for an apartment? 2. Since it was 2 months' notice, can I ask the landlord to renew for this year or extend the current tenancy? 3. Can the landlord force me to terminate and avoid renewal?

Q: I am a landlord and gave notice (Notary Public) to the tenant to vacate the villa for personal use or to sell 14 months back. Now the tenant has vacated the villa two months before after completing one year of the notice period. There are three real estate agents working to sell the villa for the last two months but the price offered is less compared to my purchase price. Please let me know if I can rent the villa again since I am not able to get a buyer for the villa and keeping the villa vacant for more than two months is a loss for me. I have to pay monthly house loan EMI and it is becoming difficult to manage.

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: My landlord said he wants to increase the rent and I cited that the RERA Index does not allow them to do that. He came back saying we can proceed through a rental committee to get a rental valuation, and if we choose not to, then he will: (1) have one cheque instead of our original 3 cheques (2) have me pay for the chiller though in the contract it says it's the landlord's responsibility. Can he do that?

Q: Like some similar cases being explained here, I am a tenant renting the same property for the last 3 years. Last year, after a rent extension, the landlord issued me a 12-month notarised eviction notice on the fact that the house goes for sale. The eviction notice is due on April 6th and I will evacuate the house and move to a different location which I signed already. However, there are absolutely no signs that the house is going on the market for sale, not posted online, and no visitors or anything. I am very sure the house will not go for sale but for rent again, hence I intend to raise a case against the landlord. The question is, when shall I raise a case, waiting for the house to be rented, or immediately after evacuation? And what is the best way to find the house status once I am out, how can I know the house is again up for rent? Appreciate your feedback.

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?

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.

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