Q: Hello. I am a tenant in an apartment in Dubai (freehold), with the contract expiring in less than 90 days. The landlord says he is unable to renew the contract without specifying a reason. He has also not informed me through any official channel. I did some checks through DLD/RDC and found out that there is an active case on RDC and the property is listed as "property is blocked". The case status mentions that the sell transaction is blocked, and Ejari is also blocked (the landlord had been trying to sell for some time) when the case was opened. What are my options given that as a tenant I have no official knowledge of any of these and have every intention to renew my contract?

Q: Hi, A security deposit of AED 3,500 was paid to the landlord when I moved in and rental payment for each month was monthly. I moved out for personal reasons 4.5 months later and all rental payments were made for my time there. At the time of viewing the room, it is being claimed that the landlord stated the minimum term was 6 months, which was never put in writing or was it ever confirmed I would lose my deposit even when I gave my 30 days notice. There is no contract or correspondence to confirm any of this. The landlord lives in the property and is refusing to return any of my deposit. She is ignoring me now by blocking my number. I even offered her just over AED1,000 as a pro rata settlement as a goodwill gesture, but that is when she blocked me after she read it. I refused her 50/50 offer. If filing a complaint can cost AED 2.5k-3k where do I stand it seems like a pointless exercise, I don't think RERA will look at it? Do I go to the police? I'd prefer to avoid this option. Thanks

Q: Hello, I have rented my warehouse in Al Qouz (Dubai) for 2 months ago, and my tenant still didn't do Ejari register and so many registers that are the responsibility of the tenant. I have reminded them so many times and I don't want to get a fine from the government. The reason I have sent you a message is that I really want to know if there's any chance that I can terminate my client contract. I have some client who is willing to take the place and pay me a better price. Can anyone advise me about this matter? Best regards,

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Is it possible for building management to suspend access to the building in the case of a non-renewed contract? Our rental contract in Dubai recently expired, and the building management has disabled our access cards for the main entrance, parking, and amenities such as the gym and pool. We have been in contact with the owner for at least one month prior to the contract's expiry to follow up on the renewal. The delay is due to the owner's end, and we have documented this through email. What steps can we take to ensure uninterrupted access to the building facilities?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I am unable to renew my Ejari because my apartment is blocked in the system. The landlord has not been paying service charges to the developer for some time, which is the reason for the blockage. The landlord is in dispute with the developer and is unlikely to settle his dues anytime soon. Consequently, I cannot renew my Ejari until the landlord pays the service charges. Is it possible to renew my Ejari without the landlord settling his dues? Can the landlord increase my rent beyond the RERA rent increase cap, considering I do not have a renewed Ejari? Can the landlord evict me without prior notice? Please note that I had an Ejari from the previous year, but I cannot renew it this year.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I have just moved into a new apartment as a tenant. The tenancy agreement was signed by all parties (the landlord and me), and the cheques were signed and submitted (the first of four has been cashed). I have tried to get Ejari using the REST App, Dubai Land Department website, and in person at the kiosks, but they have been denied/blocked because of a legal case between the previous tenant and previous owner (I moved in the day the new owner purchased the property). The new owner wants to evict me and is saying I must leave. Without Ejari, I have not been able to register the tenancy agreement, and I cannot even get Dewa (it is currently under the name of the new landlord who is threatening to shut it off). The landlord says that because there is no Ejari, I have no rights and I must leave. Do I have to leave as the landlord is saying? Is there a course of action I can take?

Q: My building asked the tenants to register for the empower portal after 1 year of tenancy. After my lease renewal, I asked the management team to provide me the Ejari and they stated I have to pay for the non-registration period (the 1 year before empowering registration) to the landlord, otherwise, I won't get the Ejari. Am I supposed to pay for that period?

Q: I'm currently in the process of leasing the property and as part of the standard procedure, we attempted to register the tenancy on the Ejari system. However, we encountered a persistent error message indicating that the property is currently managed by an independent brokerage agency. In an effort to resolve this matter promptly, we reached out to the broker company and were informed that a payment of AED 300 is required to process the Ejari registration. In good faith, we transferred the requested amount to facilitate the registration process. To our surprise, the broker company has since communicated that they have applied for the cancellation of the management contract for the said property and are now requesting to return the AED 300. Despite their assurance of canceling the contract, we are still unable to register the property on the Ejari system. Given the urgency of the situation and the fact that the tenant's move-in date was January 15, 2024, we are seeking legal advice.

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.