Q: Good afternoon, My tenancy contract is expiring on 31 May 2023 (90 days notice period starts 1st March 2023). My current rent is 175000/year. The RERA Rental Index is 150k - 190k for my townhouse. My landlord informed me a week ago that he wants to increase the rent to 240k as per ‘Market-value’, but as he is willing to negotiate he would accept 225k. My questions: 1) What are my options in this case? 2) What is the RERA ‘Offer and Deposit’ option? (Not sure what this is) 3) What can he do with a Rent Valuation Certificate? Thanks a lot!

Q: Dear sir/madam, My landlord is asking for a rent increase exceeding RERA rental index guidance, and less than 90 days from the end of the existing lease. I have stated that renewal should take place at existing rent and existing terms since renewal notice was not sent at least 90 days before the end of the current term, however, I have agreed to increase the rent as per the RERA index in good faith. However, the landlord's agent is stating that the landlord can pull out a valuation from RERA and get a 20% increase (instead of 10% as currently asked, and 5% as per the RERA Index). What are my options?

Q: Hi, My landlord is going to increase the apartment rent from the next renewal. They are increasing by almost 20%. Is the 'three-year rent freeze' in Dubai for residential buildings applicable for this case?

Q: Dear Lawyers, My Dubai landlord is proposing a 9.52% rent increase, which I believe is unlawful. The current rent falls within the RERA rental index range, and no increase is permitted according to the index. The landlord’s representative has been uncooperative in providing proof of a Power of Attorney (POA) or any justification for the proposed increase. Questions: 1. Whose responsibility is it to submit a dispute to RERA/RDSC if the proposed rent increase is unlawful—the landlord's or the tenant's? 2. What evidence is required from the landlord (or their representative) to legally justify a rent increase that exceeds what RERA allows? 3. If the Ejari is not renewed due to a dispute at RDSC, will utilities (e.g., DEWA) and services be affected for the tenant?

Q: Hi everyone, I’m facing an issue with my rental situation and would appreciate any advice. I purchased a company in July that’s renting a shop space, and the tenancy contract (under the company’s name) is ending on November 22. The landlord is insisting on a 40% rent increase, even though the RERA Index clearly indicates a 0% increase for this area. I’ve informed the landlord that this increase isn’t in line with RERA regulations, requested a new contract, and asked him to come by to collect the cheques—but he’s been unresponsive. To protect our position, I filed an offer and deposit with the rental dispute center, but it was automatically closed because the landlord didn’t respond. My question is: what should I do next? Filing a case for renewal will cost 5% of the rent, which is a significant amount right now. Are there any alternatives to proceed without incurring that cost, or any other steps to ensure the landlord adheres to the regulated rental terms?

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.

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