Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
8 available 8 • View allWho is liable for the maintenance of a property, the landlord or the tenant?

3
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!


Aug 24, 2022
1201
Fixing a persistent ceiling leak in an apartment with minimal hassle

2
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!


Apr 6, 2023
81
Can I refuse to pay rent if the landlord did not provide electricity?



1
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?




Sep 14, 2023
208
AC malfunctions and mold issues. Can I take legal action for building flaws?


1
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?



Jan 31, 2024
265
Is there a timeframe for a property maintenance claim after vacating the apartment?



1
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.




Mar 27, 2024
65
Is it normal to pay maintenance fees upon each rental contract renewal?




1
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!





+1
May 14, 2024
122
Is it the responsibility of the owner or building management to fix leaking damages in new apartment?




1
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.





+2
Jan 30, 2025
101
How can I claim damages from a tenant who left my commercial property in poor condition?




2
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?





+3
Feb 13, 2025
48
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allWhat You Should Know While Renting a Property in the UAE 5
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.
Feb 24, 2020
3927
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allLaw No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 12
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.
Nov 26, 2007
24284
Decree No. (26) of 2013 Concerning the Rent Disputes Settlement Centre in the Emirate of Dubai 0
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.
Sep 18, 2013
7289
Law No. (33) of 2008 Amending Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 8
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.
Dec 1, 2008
24939

Premium
Other answers by
1543 1543 answers •
View allHow much time do I have to start paying after the verdict in the appeal court? 0
Hello,
How much time do I have to start paying after the verdict in the appeal court?
And what's the probability of freezing my account or traffic file if I’m paying?
Apr 11, 2025
69
What does Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 mean with exempting supervisory roles from the provisions of the Labour Law? 0
Dear colleagues,
According to Article 15 of Cabinet Resolution No. 1 of 2022 (“Executive Regulations”), employees occupying supervisory roles are exempt from the provisions of the Labour Law and the Executive Regulations in relation to maximum working hours only if they possess powers equivalent to those of the employer.
Could you please clarify what is meant by "if they possess powers equivalent to those of the employer"?
Currently, we have heads of departments who report to the directors. Will they be eligible for overtime?
Also, those who have a POA to sign contracts will they be eligible?
Or, those who temporarily replace the CEO while he is out, will they be eligible?
Apr 10, 2025
59
Can I stay home if my boss doesn’t pay my salary on time? 0
Hello,
Can I stay home if my boss doesn’t pay my salary on time?
Apr 10, 2025
55
نزاع بين شركاء مفوضين بالتوقيع على المعاملات البنكية للشركة بشأن شيك وتحويل أموال 0
زوج وزوجة، الزوجة مالكة لشركة بنسبة 50% ولديها شريك أجنبي يملك بنسبة 50%. الشريك مخول بالتوقيع في كافة المعاملات البنكية للشركة والزوجة كذلك لها ذات الصلاحية.
بعدها، غاب الشريك الأجنبي عن الشركة وسافر. ومازالت الشركة نشطة والعمال لايستلمون رواتبهم والشريك قام بتحويل جميع أموال الشركة إلى حسابه الخاص دون علم الشريك الآخر.
ثم تحصلت الزوجة الشريكة على شيك، فقام الشريك الأجنبي بفتح بلاغ خيانة أمانة واستلم زوجها الشيك.
فما هو الحل القانوني من ناحية جزائية وتجارية؟
Mar 27, 2025
69
What are the penalties for employing workers without a visa? 0
Hello,
Kindly let me know the statutory provisions relating to the penalty for letting employees work without a visa and the amount of penalty to be paid by the employer.
Apr 9, 2025
51

Other answers by
162 162 answers •
View allإمكانية المطالبة بالمستحقات العمالية بناءً على الراتب الفعلي وليس المكتوب في العقد 0
السلام عليكم،
أعمل في شركة في العين مند ثلاث سنوات ونصف "منها سنة وعشرة أشهر إقامة تابعة للشركة" وما تبقى كنت أعمل بالإعارة من شركة أخرى. راتبي في عقد العمل 500 درهم ولكن راتبي الفعلي 2500 درهم.
هل يحق لي المطالبة قانونًا على حسب الراتب الفعلي؟
وهل فترة العمل بالإعارة تدخل ضمن أيام المستحقات؟
علمًا بأنني أستلم راتبي بشكل مباشر بإيصال قبض من الشركة، وراتب العقد (500) أستلمه بنكيًا أو عبر فروع الأنصاري.
Jul 17, 2023
216
Mold in apartment due to construction fault: Can I get compensation? 0
Hi everyone,
I rent an apartment. After two days in the apartment, water started leaking from the ceiling.
It turned out to be a fault in the building's construction, which caused condensation in the false ceilings. When the panels were demolished, it was found that they were all full of mold.
The building manager has started work, but the apartment is no longer habitable.
Should the landlord compensate me for the lack of peaceful enjoyment of the property?
Jul 17, 2023
413
New owner in Dubai with no Ejari and previous tenant: What are his rights? 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
I recently purchased a studio flat in Dubai that was previously tenanted under a Tenancy Contract from November 2022 to November 2023.
However, there is no registered Ejari to establish a tenant-landlord relationship in the Dubai Government record.
The previous landlord had given the tenant a year's notice to vacate the flat, which was given six months ago. Now that I have purchased the flat, I have asked the tenant to replace the cheques, but she has refused to cooperate.
Can you please advise me on whether I am obligated to continue the Tenancy Agreement signed by the previous owner, given the absence of an Ejari?
Alternatively, when can I tell her to vacate the flat, or do I have to wait until November 2023?
Secondly, I would like to know if I need to serve the tenant with an eviction notice again to vacate the flat. If so, for how long is the remaining period valid, or do I need to issue a new eviction notice of one year?
I would appreciate your prompt response.
Many thanks!
Kind Regards,
Apr 11, 2023
1709
My company is asking us to work 9 hours this Ramadan. What can we do? 0
My company is asking us to do 9 hrs. duty this Ramadan starting last 8th of April 2023 without overtime pay.
And no one from my colleagues wants to complain as they are scared of what might happen.
Just today, my showroom manager is asking me to extend until 12 pm when I started my duty from 10 am and I am fasting.
What can I do?
Apr 13, 2023
540
Issuing a legal notice for non-payment and false accusations by a client 0
Hello,
We would like to issue and send a notice/legal notice to one of our clients for none payment of dues and false accusations.
How can this be done?
Apr 15, 2023
464
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