Q: Hello, I have the impression that my owner will send me an eviction notice of 12 months if I do not accept to pay the rent increase he is asking for. The rent increase is not allowed as the rental index is less than what I am currently paying. In that case, it means I will need to move from the flat in 12 months. Is it right? In this case, he cannot re-rent his flat within 2 years, right? Many thanks!

Q: I bought a villa without viewing it on 30-12-2022. It was rented at AED 75,000/year (contract expiry 23-03-2022). The previous landlord served an eviction notice (Sale) in September 2021 to the tenant for 12 months. He also sent an email 90 days before the expiry of the tenancy agreement to the tenant informing him that "the rent increase will be as per RERA guidelines and by him or the new owner if he managed to sell the villa before March 23, 2022". Last week, the tenant sent an email requesting to renew the contract and then on WhatsApp chat he agreed to a rent renewal at AED 100,000. When I sent the tenancy contract to him on WhatsApp, his lawyer sent me a legal notice: 1. Forcing me to renew the contract with AED 75,000 and not as per the RERA increase which will be almost 95,000. The current market is AED 125,000 2. Not allowing me to inspect/view the villa and if I insist, then he will take legal action against me What should I do?

Q: Dear Lawyers, I have been a tenant for the past three years and my landlord has been arguing about the rent. I have always stated that I will pay whatever is required according to RERA. Last year, in January 2022, he gave me a court-attested notice to sell the property. Throughout the year, he has been threatening to evict me and not renew my contract if I do not agree to his demands of an 80% rent increase. He has only had one viewing in the last 12 months (and has not listed the property on any websites) just to show that he is attempting to sell it. He has openly stated that he is willing to allow me to stay if I accept the 80% increase in rent, but if not, he will ask me to leave (and refuses to put this offer in writing). He claims that he has enough evidence to show that he tried to sell the property, and after I leave, he will leave it empty for two months before renting it out again, and there is nothing I can do about it. Can I dispute this in RDC and get my contract renewed? If I leave and he rents the property out after three months, can I claim damages from him?

The relationship between tenants and landlords is regulated in Dubai by Law No. 33 of 2008 Concerning the Relationship Between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai. The arising rental disputes are referred to Rental Disputes Settlement Centre (“RDSC”) created by Decree No. 26 of 2013 to reconcile between the parties and reach an amicable settlement or seek a final judgment issued and enforced by the RDSC.

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. 

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