Q: Hello, I am a landlord in Dubai and I wish to send a 12-month legal eviction notice to my tenant for my intention to sell my property after the 12-month eviction notice. My question is: If after putting my property on the market for sale I don't manage to sell it and I decide to rent it out again, can my tenant take any legal action against me or ask for any compensation? Will they be entitled to that?

Q: Dear lawyers, I am currently locked in a dispute with my landlord about vacating his property. I would like to get some advice regarding the issue. After my landlord tried to raise the rent on my villa past the RERA Index price, my wife and I decided to give the notice to leave. We then reverted back to the landlord to offer a new proposal in which he agreed via telephone to consider the new price and let us know, he never got back to us. A few days ago we have found out he is selling the unit/or has sold it before the end of our tenancy. Can you please let me know legally where I stand with this issue? Kind Regards,

Q: Dear Sirs I will appreciate your kind advice regarding my case. I am renting from the landlord since 3 years now, all payments are done on time and even I am doing maintenance for things in my house which I am not supposed to do but to maintain the property in good shape out of goodwill. I received an email from my landlord asking for renewal as per the agreement, 3 months prior to the termination of my current contract. I visited them and handed over the new cheques for the new rental year in advance and signed the new tenancy contract. Now I discovered that he may be selling the property and may not renew my contract despite receiving my cheques and delaying EJARI renewal. I still have 2 months to go in the current contract. my question to you is, are they allowed to renew or to compensate if they already took my cheques for the new year rental and exchange of emails with the same is available? What are my legal rights here? Thanks and have a great day.

Q: Hi, I just bought an apartment in Dubai on 4 May 23 but there is a tenant whose Ejari from the previous owner is valid until 18 Dec 23. The Ejari with the same T&Cs has been transferred to my name today. My questions are: 1) Can I issue him an exit notice now? If I do so, does it mean that based on the 12-month notice period he will have to vacate my premises on June 24? 2) The tenant continues to stay after the tenancy contract validity i.e. 18 Dec 23 based on the notice period. Do I have to register a new Ejari with him from 19 Dec 23 onwards or I can just wait for his notice period to get over based on the exit notice? 3) A friend said that I have to wait for the current Ejari to get over for the 12-month notice to get started i.e. when the current Ejari expires on 18 Dec 23. This means I can give him an exit notice on June 23 but he will vacate the house on Dec 24 only. Is this correct? Please help

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.

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.