Q: Hello, I received an eviction notice citing "personal reasons". If I vacate the apartment before the end of the 12-month lease term due to inconvenience: - Is the landlord obligated to refund the remainder of my rent? - Can the landlord rent the apartment again during the remainder of the lease term, despite the eviction notice and the requirement not to rent it out for two years after that? - Is it legal for the landlord to rescind the eviction notice closer to the end date and propose a higher rent, after causing inconvenience for me to look for another place or even after I have already moved out? - Can I sue them even after they cancel the eviction? (I may have an idea of their strategy and want to ensure that I am protected by the law). Thank you!

Q: Dear Lawyers I am a tenant. I have received a legal, notarised, 12-month eviction notice stating that my landlord wishes to sell his villa. I received no calls from any agents for any viewings for some time and no viewings done to date. What if the current owner does not sell the villa by the 12-month notice period? Do I have the right to remain in the villa? Should the owner prove the sale with a valid sale MoU/title deed transfer certificate? I have to renew my lease as it expires before the 12-month notice date so do I renew for 12 months or up to the eviction notice date? Please help

Q: Hello, I am a tenant in Dubai. Last year in June, I signed my first rental contract in Dubai. One bedroom 864 sqft for AED 65,000. Later this year in October, I got an eviction notice saying that I need to leave the apartment when the contract ends because the owner has the intent of selling the apartment. A few days back in March, I got a call from his agent saying that no one is interested in the apartment because the landlord wants a big price so if I want, I can renew the contract. The new price for me will be AED 76,000. I took some time to think and then called him back saying that as per RERA they cannot increase more than 5% which will be 68,250 but I am willing to pay 70,000 not to move out. A few hours after the call I got an email that they re-inform me that I have to leave in June because they want to sell the apartment. Is it legal to kick me out like that because they want a bigger price? What actions can I take if they rent it out again after I move out?

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: I had evicted my tenant (after giving him a 365-day notice) from my apartment five months back with the intention of moving into the apartment myself. However, due to a change in personal circumstances, I have to leave the UAE in the next two months. Can I now legally rent out my apartment again or still need to wait for two years to rent out the same?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, My landlord evicted me on the basis that he was selling the property. I have recently discovered that he did not sell and re-rented the property three months after I moved out, with a rental increase of AED 75,000 per year above what I was paying. It was very disruptive, and I was forced to move to a smaller property, incurring unnecessary costs as a result. This occurred approximately one year ago; however, I believe I have all the required evidence and supporting documentation. My question: Am I able to raise a case against my former landlord and seek compensation? If yes, what costs do I incur? If I am successful, how is the compensation calculated? How long does a case like this normally take? If successful, is the landlord legally obliged to payout Thank you!

Q: Dear Lawyers, I was evicted on the grounds that the landlord needed the property for personal use. The landlord has rented the property out again at a higher rent but under his son’s name. Can I still sue for compensation?

Q: Dear Lawyers, I received an eviction notice to leave the apartment in Dubai because the landlord wanted to sell it. Six months after I moved out, I found out that he rented the apartment with a rent increase of more than 40%. Is there anything I can do? I always hear that I should file a case in the RDC, but what type of case should I file?

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.