Q: My landlord is trying to increase my rent outside of the RERA Index, using a DLD valuation as the basis. The sequence of events: 1. 90 days before my renewal, the landlord offered me a new lease with a 10% increase on my current rental 2. I challenged this by sharing the RERA rental index result, which stated there is no increase in the rental value 3. landlord decided at this point to do a DLD rental valuation 4. Last Friday, 49 days before my current lease expires, the landlord shared the valuation, which showed an increase of 21% on the rent (or looking at it another way, my current rent is 17.5% less than this current valuation) Can the landlord do that, and what is he legally allowed to increase my rent by in this scenario?

Q: Hi, I was trying to check the RERA/rental increase for JVC. According to the rental index results, it stated that it is not applicable to hotels and hotel apartments. What is applicable for such residential complexes, and how can I calculate it? Additionally, where is it specified that the landlord needs to give 90 days' notice in case of a rent increase?

Q: Hi, I am an owner of an apartment in Dubai. It has been rented out for the past 2 years. The market rate of rent has now increased, however, the RERA index has not changed in the past 3 years. I gave my tenant a 90-day notice notifying him of an increase in rent, however, he is not accepting and will only pay as per the RERA index. The matter is now with the RDC, where he has filed a case against me. The RDC session is scheduled for next week. If I provide a DLD rent valuation certificate, will the RDC consider my request, or will they stick to the RERA index? In case the tenant wins the verdict, will I have to pay any legal fees? Regards,

Q: Hi, Our landlord increased the rent by 10% from last year. We moved in last September 2022, and our landlord took checks from ABC for a 2BHK at xxxxx Courtyard for 66,000. This year, he opened a new company (CDF), and we all tenants received new contracts with a 10% rent increase. Is this allowed? Can the company name be changed and the rent increased by 10%? I believe that the rent should not increase for the first two years, or that the rent should remain the same for the first year in the new company. I need your help and advice, as 10% is too high for anyone. Sincerely, JL

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I received a rental increase letter from my landlord in Dubai with an increase of more than 40%. He provided a rental revaluation certificate as support. My current rent for a 1BHK is 42,000 AED. According to the rental index, there is a 2,000 AED hike, while my landlord is asking for an 18,000 AED increase. May I know the maximum rent increase?

Q: Hi, My broker has been trying to increase my rent beyond what is allowed by RERA for three years. They make it difficult for me to file a complaint, but eventually, they always send an offer that is in line with RERA's calculator. They know that we will eventually renew the contract at the RERA-approved rate, but they still keep doing this every year. They waste my time and energy with long, pointless negotiations. What can I do to stop this? The owner is not an Emirati. Thanks for the answers!

Q: Hello, I have a studio apartment in Al Merkadh. The rent for a studio apartment in Al Merkadh ranges from AED 46,000 to 56,000 per year. Currently, my tenant pays AED 54,000 per year. As per the law, can I ask him for a 10% increase in rent from the next renewal, which is due in the next 3 months? Am I entitled to increase the rent in this case? Can I increase the rent for my tenant even if the RERA rental index says there is no increase in rent? How can I obtain a rent valuation certificate for my property? If we ask our current tenant (a single person, not a family) to vacate the property upon the completion of the tenancy, will a 90-day prior notice by email suffice, or do we need to send him a notice through a lawyer? He is refusing to leave the property and is asking me to give him a 12-month notice, but when I gave him the property, he verbally agreed to leave it after 1 year. What are my options in this case? Thanks!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Advice on rent rules: Can a RERA rental valuation certificate allow a landlord to increase rent arbitrarily? I received an email from my landlord saying they have taken out a RERA rental valuation certificate which legally allows them to increase the rent to that particular number, which is substantially higher than my current rent. My question is, is this allowed? My current rent was already increased by 10% last year, and now the landlord wants to increase it this year, so over two years, it is a 35% increase. What are my options here? Any advice would be helpful!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Is the Dubai Land Department Rent Valuation certificate for both new tenants and renewals?

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.

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.