Q: When there were more than 90 days, I sent an email to the tenant that I want to increase the rent which was higher than what was mentioned in the rental index. The tenant replied to me saying they don't want to renew the rental contract. Now when there is less than a month left in contract expiration, I got an email from them that the contract will renew at the same rate. Can the tenants change their minds even after giving notice to not renew the rental contract? Additionally, I got a rental appraisal certificate and it shows the rental is 13% more than the amount of current rental value. So can I increase rent to the amount mentioned in the certificate or I can increase only 5%?

Q: Hi, My villa is rented since August 2018 for 155000 pa, payment was agreed upon by 2 cheques, and Ejari was registered in 2018. In August 2020 (COVID Time), I was outside the UAE and the tenant asked me to lower the rent to 142000 and offered to pay monthly rental payments by bank transfer. Due to the COVID situation, I accepted his offer by email and since then, the tenant pays rent monthly through bank transfers. In April 2022 (which is 90 days to renewal in August 2022), I sent him an email to rent review as the rental value for my villa increased. However, the tenant did not agree and kept saying there is no rent increase for my villa. We exchanged several emails. and no conclusion. Now in October 2022, I have obtained a rental valuation certificate from DLD which states the current rental value is 200000. I will appreciate your advice about how to proceed with the rental increase, and what is my legal position in this issue. The tenancy agreement and Ejari are officially not renewed for the last few years.

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 Sir/Madam, I sent a renewal notice to my Dubai tenant with more than 3 months advance. In the renewal, I adjusted the rental increase as per RERA of 5% and requested a change in payment conditions from 4 to 2 cheques. The tenant agreed to the new amount but did not agree to the new payment conditions because, according to him, the provisions to change the terms in the contract allowed by RERA were only suggestions and not enforceable. Therefore, the contract renewal has not yet gone forward because we do not agree with his interpretation. While consulting our options, RERA updated the rental increase for the area from 5% to 15% since the tenant is paying well below market price. We sent the tenant a new proposal with the updated RERA-allowed increase of 15%, offering back payments of 4 cheques. The tenant refused again, arguing that the new proposal is not applicable since we are now out of the 90-day previous notification window required. Please advise our options!

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?

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.