Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
7 available 7 • View allWhen can a landlord issue a rent increase notice to the tenant?
1
Q: Hello,
I have two questions:
1. When can a landlord issue a termination notice to the tenant?
2. When can a landlord issue a rent increase notice to the tenant?
Best Regards,

Feb 25, 2023
150
The legal way of notifying the tenant about rent increase
3
Q: I am a landlord. Can the rent increase notice be sent by email to the tenant?
If the tenant does not agree to the rent increase, will this notice be enough to file in RERA?

Jul 5, 2021
2123
How to act if you do not agree on the rent increase proposed by the landlord?
5
Q: Hi Ma'am,
Can I know what is my legal situation if I refused to accept the rent increase?
Also, as per our contract, the landlord should inform me before 60 days.
What if he didn't notify me?
Thanks

Dec 14, 2021
1234
How to deal with a tenant who is not willing to pay market rent?


1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
Our unit is currently rented at a lower price. According to the market, it is 45% less, and according to the RERA Rental Index, it is 13% less.
The RERA Rental Index allows for a maximum increase of 5%, but the current market trend indicates that we should at least increase the rent by 15%, which is the minimum rent for similar units.
Can we increase the rent according to the market value, as the tenant is only willing to pay 5% more based on the RERA Rental Index?



Aug 20, 2023
114
The landlord demands increased rent without proper notice. What to do?




3
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I have been a tenant of an industrial unit since 2017. In 2022, the landlord's real estate forced extra rent on me, and without much thought, I agreed to it.
In 2023, they asked for another increase just one day before the tenancy expired. At that time, I filed with RDC and the tenancy was renewed.
Later, the real estate sent me an email for non-renewal for the year 2024, but since it was not an official legal notice, I filed again with RDC and deposited the cheques.
Now, the real estate wants to renew with a 10% increase in rent. I received the email 6 days prior to expiry, and I informed them about the law requiring a 90-day notice as per RERA.
Yes, it is a challenge for me to fight for my rights, but I am not interested in giving the real estate an undue advantage in the case of renewal.
RERA should look into the facilities and amenities that the property has before granting them rights to increase the rent as per the Index.
Kindly guide me!





+2
May 13, 2024
660
What's more important: the tenancy contract or UAE rental laws on tenancy renewal?




1
Q: Hello,
I hope you can advise me, please!
I'm a tenant in Dubai. The owner/agency didn't send me the rent increase notice 90 days in advance. It was sent to me on Thu, 18 Apr, 22:16. My lease expires on June 24, 2024.
So it's 78 days instead of 90. But they claim that in the signed contract there is a statement:
"In the event that the tenant wishes to renew the lease at the end of the tenancy, they should notify the landlord in writing 90 days prior to the expiry date of the rental contract."
Since I didn't do this, they demand to increase my rent by the maximum amount possible as per RERA.
As far as I can understand, according to the law, if no one notifies anyone before 90 days, the default is to extend the lease. So there is no increase.
What is more important according to law, the signed contract, or UAE laws in this case?
Thank you very much, hope you can advise and help me!





+2
May 10, 2024
235
What are my legal options if the rental company demands increased rent or moving out?




1
Q: Dear Lawyers,
The rental company didn’t notify me within 90 days about the 15% increase. Now, they are stating that I must either pay the increase or move out of the property.
The agreement is due to end on 01/10/2024. What options do I have under Dubai law to negotiate this situation?





+3
Sep 18, 2024
55
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
3941
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
24303
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
24982
Decree No. (43) of 2013 Determining Rent Increases for Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai 9
This Decree determines the maximum percentage of rent increase for real property in the Emirate of Dubai when renewing lease contracts.
Dec 18, 2013
13249

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Dear Lawyers,
I have a question regarding an immediate eviction petition to the Urgent Judge. The tenant did not return the apartment on 26 January 2025, despite a 12-month legal notice that ended on 25 January 2025.
The tenant rejected all gas and fire prevention maintenance for 12 months. Al-Fanar Gas submitted a report with the tenant's signature and refusal after the tenant broke the gas detector.
The apartment was sold, and the new owner gave the tenant 90 days' notice. The tenant refused to show the new owner the apartment and ran away, according to building management.
The tenant ignored the 12-month legal notice, did not return the apartment, broke the gas detector, and refused gas and fire detection system maintenance.
The deal will be voided if the new owner cannot enter the property promptly. Can I petition the Urgent Matters Judge for quick eviction based on the tenant's violations?
Jan 27, 2025
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A contractor did waterproofing on my roof but water leaked and made damages. What can I do? 0
A contractor recently did waterproofing on my townhouse roof and confirmed a warranty of 5 years (on WhatsApp). The payment receipt and invoice are available.
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How can I exit a partnership linked to an expired license and accumulating fines? 0
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I am a partner in a trading license with two other individuals. Both of them were managing the business together as a cash-based operation without a bank account, while I was working elsewhere as an employee.
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The license has now expired and cannot be renewed because the deceased partner’s family is not cooperating, leading to fines due to the inability to renew it.
Additionally, the remaining partner continues to conduct the same business, occasionally purchasing items under the company name.
As I am a low-salaried individual and cannot afford court fees, is there a way to remove myself from this situation, or are there any authorities who can assist me in this matter?
I am willing to help and provide whatever is required as evidence in this case.
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Dec 30, 2024
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Can I finalize our divorce in the UAE while my wife is in her country? 0
Hello,
My wife and I are from two different countries (Egypt and Tunisia), and we both reside in the UAE. She recently traveled back to Tunisia, and while her residency in the UAE is still active, we are unsure if she will return.
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Jan 2, 2025
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Can I close my LLC company and pay off all my debts and liabilities if the the license is expired? 0
Good Morning,
I want to close my company (an LLC located in Sharjah) and leave. I have personal and company liabilities which I plan to settle before I leave.
My company license ended in December 2024. Can I pay off personal debts and company liabilities without renewing the company license (including renewal of tenancy contract) in the next 2 to 3 months?
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Jan 6, 2025
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View allIs a bounced rent cheque case considered a criminal record for U.S. visa applications? 0
Hello,
My rent cheque was bounced, and my landlord filed a case against me in Sharjah Court. I received a fine of 2,000 AED, which was later reduced to 1,000 AED upon appeal.
Does this case count as a criminal conviction under UAE law, or was it handled as a civil matter?
If I apply for a U.S. visa, will I need to submit court records under the requirement for applicants with past convictions?
Apr 15, 2025
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If a bank has filed an execution cheques case through the Dubai Courts. Is a travel ban automatically applied? 0
A bank has filed an execution cheques case through the Dubai Courts due to nonpayment of a personal loan and credit card.
Is a travel ban automatically applied?
I looked on the Dubai Courts website, and it says the judge has issued a “reserved” order for my case.
Furthermore, when the bank emails, they threaten me with a travel ban. So I am assuming there is no travel ban issued (but I don’t know). I haven’t received any notice of a travel ban.
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Apr 4, 2025
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What’s the minimum time an employee must work for the employer who brought them to the UAE? 0
Hello,
What is the minimum duration an employee must work for the employer who brought them into the country before they can terminate the contract in the UAE?
Apr 14, 2025
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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
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Can I resign while my new visa is being processed before my first contract ends? 0
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I am currently working with my company and have one month remaining to complete my first contract.
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Mar 27, 2025
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View allIs it possible to quit a job before completing six months? 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
I work as a stockbroker at a company, but I want to quit because it is not a good job. I have been working there for over four months.
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Mar 29, 2023
136
The landlord wants to increase rent above RERA Index. How to renew my contract? 0
My landlord was asking for an unjustified rent increase of 9K, while the RERA calculator showed 3K. He was threatening to go through the Rent Valuation process, however, he only gave me a notice period of 83 days.
According to Dubai Decree No 43 of 2013 and Law No 33 of 2008, landlords are required to provide a 90-day notice period before making any changes to the rental contract, including increasing the rent amount.
Failure to comply with this notice period entitles the tenant to refuse the rent increase.
As the current contract is coming to an end by the end of next week, I have made several attempts to reach out to my landlord and his real estate agent to reiterate my interest in extending the contract and collecting the rental cheques at the old prices.
Also, I kindly requested that they provide me with the contract as soon as possible. Unfortunately, I have not received any response thus far, and considering that this week is a holiday week, I do not know what to do.
Sincerely,
Jun 26, 2023
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Terminating an employee during probation: 14 or 30 days' notice? 0
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If an employee is still on probation period, can the employer terminate the contract with 14 days' notice even if the employment contract states 30 days' notice?
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Nov 24, 2023
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Is the RERA Index Calculator the sole source for determining rent increases? 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
I reside in a Dubai community, and my tenancy renewal is approximately 95 days away.
The landlord is proposing a 15% rent increase, primarily based on rents listed on propertyfinder.ae, claiming that my current rent is 25% below market rates.
However, the RERA Rental Index indicates "no increase in the rental value" as my rent is at the top of the quoted range, prompting me to reject the proposed increase.
The real estate broker he hired at the time of my move-in recently contacted me, serving as an intermediary, mentioning that he would conduct a DLD valuation, likely resulting in a higher value.
However, he is attempting to negotiate first, considering the cost of around 2500 AED.
If we were to dispute, is the RERA Index Calculator the sole authoritative source for determining rent increases?
Additionally, if the DLD valuation is accepted, what is the potential maximum increase?
Nov 13, 2023
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How to collect judgment from LLC with closed office and expired license? 0
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I have a commercial execution case for the recovery of payments.
I sent a notification to the local owner (100% ownership of the LLC), but I see that the company has closed its office and its license has expired.
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Oct 12, 2023
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I have received a judgment in my favor from RDC that awarded me legal fees.
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Feb 14, 2025
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The public prosecution appealed a judgment to increase the fine I already paid. What do I do now? 0
Good afternoon,
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The public prosecution appealed my judgment (a fine that I satisfactorily cleared) and requested increasing the fine.
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Feb 7, 2025
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Can we give a salary certificate to a new hired employee before he starts to open a bank account? 0
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Feb 4, 2025
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I received a termination letter from my company for restructuring. Is this considered arbitrary dismissal? 0
I received a termination letter from my company on January 31st, 2025, with a one-month notice period, stating my last working day as February 28th, 2025.
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Feb 5, 2025
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Do I need to hire a lawyer if I found I have a marital case against me in the court? 0
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Feb 3, 2025
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