Q: What could be consequences if my rental cheque is returned? Do I have 2-3 months after the date of the cheque to arrange the necessary amount? What is the worst case scenario for me?

Q: My husband is selling icecreams in a cafe in Dubai. He has started a business from this. He needed a visa and the owner gave him a visa but we paid for it. The owner wrote a contract by email but we haven't signed it. We have given 3 cheques for the next year and are paying quarterly. Unfortunately, the business/icecreams are not selling at all and we want to get out of the contract. I would like to know what hope do we have to get out of the contract as we haven't signed it but he has the year cheques on him. Hope to hear from you soon.

Q: Dear Sir, We have a tenancy contract from January this year for a villa in Springs. The rent was to be paid in 2 cheques, out of which we have paid one and the 2nd cheque was dishonoured due to financial trouble. My husband is currently in custody for some bank related case and my son is on his own at the house. The landlord sent us 30 days' notice through notary that expired yesterday. Can the landlord evict us from the property because we are not in a situation to pay till my husband is out of the legal trouble? We have applied for his bail but the landlord is not ready to cooperate. What is the process for them to get the house evicted because our intention is to pay them but we need some time? Can you guide us, please? The problem is every other day the landlord comes and harasses my son by knocking on the door and calling every day.

Q: Hello Advocate Nikhat, How are you, Madam? My house is in Abu Dhabi and I had rent bounced cheques due to my job loss. Q.1 As we know that for a rent cheque bounce, after the police case is closed and the civil case is opened, then in this civil case, the judge will decide on the amount for instalments. Won't he consider what we say about how much we can pay? Q.2 Ref to the above question, it means there is no jail directly if we agree with the judge on the amount to be paid in instalments. Now, I understand that once the instalments are finalized, then we have to pay them regularly. The question is, in the civil case, there is no direct Jail in the first or second hearing, as the judge negotiates the amount for payment, correct? Q.3 During eviction case, when rent/lease is expired. Since the lease is now connected with Tawtheeq, so if Tawtheeq expires as the rent agreement expires, Will ADDC cut my electricity during this time? Q.4 Please, also advise what is Legal Advice Middle East, is it a law firm?

Q: Hi Mr Naser, Thanks for your fast response. We are based in Abu Dhabi. Q.1 As we know that for a rent cheque bounce after the police case is closed and the civil case is opened, will the judge decide on the amount for instalments in this civil case? Won't he consider what we say how much we can pay? Q.2 During eviction case, when the rent/lease expires and since the lease is now connected with Tawtheeq which expires as well, will ADDC cut my electricity during this time? Q.3 My friend has a bank loan of AED 60K approx from a bank here in the UAE and he did not pay for the last 7 or 8 months. This bank has a branch in Pakistan. If he travels to Pakistan due to an emergency and the bank proceeds with its action, what action(s) will that be? (So far no action from the bank) Q.4 If he goes to Pakistan, what will be the consequences for an already running civil case of a bank loan default? Q.5 for a credit card security cheque bounce, can a bank directly file a civil case?

Q: My cousin who had taken flats has a criminal case and case filed at the Rental Dispute Centre. The landlord used his guarantee cheques (empty & signed) to file the criminal case. But the amount is huge and not true because part of that has been paid. Since he is overstaying because of this case, he plans to surrender to police and hopefully pay a fine or a short jail term, as he is not able to pay the landlord the amount. Will the amnesty help his situation in reducing the jail term? Is the case filed with Rental Dispute Centre considered a civil case? What if the case has been forwarded to court with a judgement of a 1-year term, will he serve the term or can just pay a fine? By the way, the amount of 2 cheques was more than 200k for each cheque. What should he do to solve this problem? Would really appreciate your prompt response.

Q: Dear Sir I have 2 cases registered in a Dubai police station under rental cheque bounce, with a value of 13000 & 18000. What will be the consequences? Will police detain me if I go to them or what will happen, Sir? Please let me know. Thanks

Q: Dear Questioner, I am a landlord. My tenant has vacated the apartment and her rent was paid in full before she vacated. Since living there for 5 years, she had 4 bounced cheques due to an irregular signature, and not lack of funds. Can I claim the penalty fees for these 4 bounced cheques even though she no longer lives in the building? If so, how do I recoup the money?

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.

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. 

The provisions of this Decree by Law amend the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 by replacing Clause (4) of Article (379) as well as Articles (600), (617), (641), (642), (643), (644), and adding new articles numbered (635) Bis, (641) Bis (1), (641) Bis (2), (641) Bis (3), (641) Bis (4), (643) Bis (1), (643) Bis (2), (644) Bis (1) and (644) Bis (2). The Decree-Law also repeals Articles (401), (402) and (403) of the Federal Law No. (3) of 1987.