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 Lawyers, I have been a tenant for the past three years and my landlord has been arguing about the rent. I have always stated that I will pay whatever is required according to RERA. Last year, in January 2022, he gave me a court-attested notice to sell the property. Throughout the year, he has been threatening to evict me and not renew my contract if I do not agree to his demands of an 80% rent increase. He has only had one viewing in the last 12 months (and has not listed the property on any websites) just to show that he is attempting to sell it. He has openly stated that he is willing to allow me to stay if I accept the 80% increase in rent, but if not, he will ask me to leave (and refuses to put this offer in writing). He claims that he has enough evidence to show that he tried to sell the property, and after I leave, he will leave it empty for two months before renting it out again, and there is nothing I can do about it. Can I dispute this in RDC and get my contract renewed? If I leave and he rents the property out after three months, can I claim damages from him?

Q: We were told by our landlord that he wants to sell his property. Our contract is till 11 December 2023. He said it would be difficult to renew our contract as we wanted to extend. We then gave him two options either we can try and find an alternative rental and he refunds us or he extends till June 2024. He said preferred we look for an alternative rental ASAP. This all happened on 3 June, we then looked for an alternative and found that rental prices have gone up considerably and this is not financially viable for us and have gone back to him on 4th June to say this. He has come back and said he has already signed the contract with a new buyer. What is our position? We only offered and were only subject to if we could find an alternative rental. Also, he has sold/signed to sell in less than 72 hours of talks.

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.

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