Q: Good day, I would like to ask regarding the tenant rights. Our air conditioning broke down and the landlord is insisting that we are the one who should buy a new compressor which is not on the leasing contract that I signed. Are we really liable for the repair cost of that AC or the landlord? Thanks for the help!

Q: Dear Community, I am seeking your support and guidance regarding an issue in my 2-bedroom apartment in Sharjah. The hall of my apartment has been experiencing leakage from the center of the ceiling for the past 4 months. Despite my repeated complaints and requests to the real estate company, they have not repaired or solved the problem. Can anybody advise me on how to resolve this issue with the least amount of hassle? Thank you in advance!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I rented a warehouse from a landlord on September 13, 2022, for an annual rent of 50,000 AED. I paid the first installment of 12,000 AED. The warehouse is our workshop where we manufacture customer orders. The landlord had an issue with Abu Dhabi Municipality, so he did not issue us a tenancy contract until February 15, 2023. After we received the tenancy contract, we discovered that the landlord also had an issue with ADDC. Due to these issues with the landlord, we were unable to get an electricity connection for our workshop until March 9, 2023. The landlord is now demanding rent for this period, but we refused to pay because it was not our fault. We also suffered a lot of losses during this time because we were unable to fulfill customer orders due to the lack of electricity. We also had to pay salaries to our idle workforce. The landlord has now filed an enforcement case against us by using the installment cheques. What legal actions can we take against the landlord now?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, After purchasing the apartment from the previous landlord and residing there for several months, I encountered persistent issues with the inadequate functioning of the AC unit. Not only did it fail to cool effectively, but I also discovered mold growth, particularly in the closets and within the AC ducts. Subsequently, I realized that a neighboring resident faced identical problems, leading me to suspect that the building developers may have compromised on quality and cut costs during construction, likely opting for subpar materials. This situation has escalated into a significant health concern, as the release of mold particles into the air is adversely affecting my well-being, accompanied by a noxious odor. Despite employing the services of two different AC unit duct cleaners, the problem persists, highlighting the severity of the building's construction flaws and the urgency for a comprehensive resolution. What can I do in this case, and can I take legal action?

Q: Upon vacating your apartment, can you sue your landlord for ongoing maintenance issues while you lived there? For 3 years I had ongoing maintenance issues which the building would not fix properly. Furthermore, they have now tried to deduct from my security deposit despite not fixing several issues that occurred in the past 3 years! Is there a timeframe for a maintenance claim? I would like to sue them for years of lack of maintenance which destroyed my experience while living there. Please advise. Thank you.

Q: Hello, Regarding the rental contract, I have a term that requires a 2000 AED maintenance fee upon renewal. Is it normal to pay this fee upon each renewal, and can I negotiate to remove this term from the new contract? It feels like an overcharge. Renting is in Dubai. Appreciate your help! Thank you!

Q: I own an apartment in Dubai which I rent out. The apartment below has reported water damage, and now the building management company is holding me responsible, asking me to fix both the leak and the damage to the unit below. I disagree with this for two main reasons: 1. The management company did not act quickly to stop the leak, and both my tenant and I were out of the country at the time. Had they intervened sooner, the damage could have been minimized. 2. I believe the leak may be due to construction defects or poor materials used by the developer. The building is less than three years old, and I bought the apartment directly from the developer. I don't see how any of this is my or my tenant's fault. I need legal advice on how to challenge this claim and understand my rights. Please let me know if you can help.

Q: Hello, I need advice on claiming damages from a tenant who left my commercial premises in poor condition (e.g., damaged flooring, broken fixtures, broken partitions, and holes in the wall). What steps should I take to document the damage? How can I recover the costs, and do I need to file an RDC case? Can I withhold the security deposit, as the damages exceed the deposit amount?

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.