Q: I’ve been served a notice on a property in a place where all landlords are evicting tenants due to the rental increase. It’s easy for a landlord to serve notice and then not actually move in (which is the reason he has given). I’ve spent a lot of money on landscaping the garden as it was empty when I moved in. How can I contest the eviction notice? My landlord owns more than one property in Dubai and he lives in India. He keeps saying he is moving in, yet the notice he served also says he is evicting me due to his need to move or sell it.

Q: Dear Lawyers, An eviction notice with the intent to sell was served by the previous owner almost 12 months ago in January 2022. The existing tenancy contract at that time expired in September 2022 and was renewed by the previous owner until the end of January 2023 (the expected eviction date according to the legal notice). I purchased the property in December 2022. Now, the tenant does not want to leave and is requesting another 12-month notice since I am the new owner, and he was told by someone at DLD that the old notice lost its validity. Please advise on what action I should take if I want to move into the property in February 2023.

Q: Hi, I have sent an eviction notice to my tenant (as I plan to use the property for my own - 2BR in free zone Dubai) 4 months ago via Emirates Post registered email service (and I have got a digital certificate time stamped of receipt ). Is this accepted by the Dubai courts? My tenant is refusing to provide a tentative day to move out within the 12 months period from when I have sent the email, and says that according to RERA he will vacate the property only after 12 months since he received an ‘official notice of eviction’. The current tenancy contract expires in 2 months and I do not know what should I do if we do not reach an agreement. 1. Can I deny to sign a new contract upon expiration or I am obliged to do so, and if yes, for what period? 2. Should I send it through Notary Public or registered mail (courier with acknowledgment of receipt) a new eviction notice? That would mean that I acknowledge the previous one was void.

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 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.

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

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 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.