Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
7 available 7 • View allCan the landlord cut off all house utilities and threaten the tenant of throwing him out?


3
Q: Hello,
My landlord disconnected the water and electricity for the 4th time this week because my signature didn't match the cheque. What I can I do?
And he is threatening me now if I will not pay until tomorrow by cash he will change the locks and he will deport me.



Nov 9, 2022
958
What to do if the hotel apartment I am renting cut off electricity and water?
2
Q: I am living in a hotel apartment in Abu Dhabi. For the last 3 days, my flat does not have electricity and water. I have already paid them 6 months' rent on contract.
Hotel management is saying that they have to deposit AED 300K to ADDC, then only electricity will resume. It's been three days since the electricity is there.
Can someone point me in the right direction, where to complain and so that my flat electricity is back?

Apr 27, 2022
409
When can a landlord disconnect electricity and water supply?


7
Q: When can a landlord disconnect electricity and water supply?



Jun 3, 2021
5527
Can a landlord shut off the power to a tenant?


3
Q: Good morning,
I am writing to inquire about whether my landlord has the right to shut off my power line, which is under my name.
They have done this to me several times, and I would like to know if this is legal.
Thank you for your help!



Jun 22, 2023
1039
Real estate company throws out tenant's belongings. What to do?


1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
I had a commercial rental issue in Dubai, and the final judgment was an arrest warrant.
The real estate company received an evacuation notice and proceeded to throw out all our papers and sell our assets, as per the court decision.
They threw all our papers and books onto the road, and Dubai Municipality issued a fine to us. However, we did not throw anything onto the road, and the real estate company did this purposefully.
What can be done in this case?



Oct 5, 2023
272
Can I cut DEWA to force my tenant to register it in his name?




1
Q: Dear Lawyers,
My tenant is making monthly payments when Ejari is for four cheques. Moreover, he has not registered Empower or the DEWA bill in his name.
Sometimes, I make payments as a default, which would fine my account for 2500 AED—feeling helpless, as the tenant doesn't pick up the phone when payment is due.
Can I cut DEWA now so that he registers DEWA in his name?





+1
Jul 8, 2024
365
Can I sue my landlord for cutting off utilities during the pandemic?



1
Q: Hello,
During the pandemic, I was unemployed and living in a one-bedroom apartment with my wife, who was also unemployed, and my five-year-old daughter.
Since we were not working for roughly two years, from the beginning of 2020 until the start of 2022, I was unable to pay rent.
The landlord's office could not evict me as all such procedures were on hold by RDC, so they resorted to disconnecting electricity and water since the DEWA account was under their name.
This resulted in my family and me living in the house without electricity or water from March 2021 until February 2022, which was the eviction date. Due to these harsh living conditions, my young family and I suffered immense moral and financial losses.
During this period, I made several attempts in person and by email to restore the DEWA service upon payment of a partial amount, but to no avail.
I want to know if I have legal grounds to sue the landlord for this action and demand compensation.




Aug 9, 2024
173
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allBounced Cheques in the UAE: What You Need to Know in 2024 292
In the UAE, cheque bounce is a very frequent problem faced by people during their span in the country. It is covered under the purview of Commercial Transactions Law, and legal implications/penalties can be financially severe and daunting for more “serious” offenses. Bounced cheque issues may arise in a variety of commercial transactions, including but not limited to, companies’ exchanges, bank loans, property rents or purchases, and individual transactions.
Oct 15, 2024
224076
What 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
4012
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
24416
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
25182
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
7343

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I received a judgment in my favor from RDC that awarded me legal fees. Does this include lawyer fees? 0
I have received a judgment in my favor from RDC that awarded me legal fees.
However, RDC says that legal fees do not mean lawyer fees; they are RDC fees only.
Is this correct?
Feb 14, 2025
139
The public prosecution appealed a judgment to increase the fine I already paid. What do I do now? 0
Good afternoon,
Thank you for your time.
The public prosecution appealed my judgment (a fine that I satisfactorily cleared) and requested increasing the fine.
Can you please explain what happens during a criminal case appeal hearing for me as a defendant?
Will I be asked questions?
Is the hearing just for the Public Prosecution to present their appeal to the judge, and I do not need to give a response?
Thank you again for your time.
Feb 7, 2025
216
Can we give a salary certificate to a new hired employee before he starts to open a bank account? 0
Dear lawyers,
The new employee will start on June 1, 2025. However, he would like to open a new bank account in the UAE thus asking to provide the salary certificate mentioning his salary in AED and if possible not mentioning the start date.
Legally, can the company provide such a certificate?
Feb 4, 2025
183
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.
The reason given for the termination is "considering the current business scenario, the company has considered measures to reorganize the business."
Could this be considered arbitrary dismissal?
Am I entitled to any compensation or benefits from the company as a result of this termination?
Feb 5, 2025
168
Do I need to hire a lawyer if I found I have a marital case against me in the court? 1
By checking in Al Adheed, I have found there is a marital matter case against me in Dubai Courts. There is a hearing date for next week and the time mentioned in the case status with a link for an online hearing.
However, I have not received any message from Dubai courts regarding this by mail or phone. I have all contact details updated with EID. In this case, what should I do?
I don’t know what the case is about.
Should I hire a lawyer or I can attend the hearing by myself?
Please do suggest options.
Feb 3, 2025
123

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I paid for a partner visa but never received it. How can I recover my money? 0
Hello,
I have a friend who has an agency that promised me a partner's visa. She told me the payment would be 7800 AED full package, then I paid over half, 4900 AED, last October 2024.
But up until February 2025, I still didn’t receive any documents from her. So I decided to apply somewhere else, and I got my investor's visa already.
Now, I am asking for a refund, but until now, she is not giving it to me and not replying to my messages. What do I do with this?
May 14, 2025
28
Is it obligatory to issue an invoice for my customer to process his down payment? 0
Hello sir,
Is it obligatory to issue an invoice for my customer to process his down payment?
Our system doesn't allow us to issue an invoice unless the goods exist in our inventory. We also require this advance or down payment as confirmation of his order.
My customer is insisting on issuing him an invoice and says that this is required by UAE laws.
May 29, 2025
27
What can I do if a contractor failed to deliver a paid renovation project? 0
Hello,
I paid a contractor (via bank transfers) to deliver a project (1BHK renovation – full), and they did not.
What action can I take against them in Dubai?
May 19, 2025
48
After evicting a tenant for renovation, can the landlord rent the property to another tenant? 0
Hello,
If the tenant is evicted due to renovation, once the renovation is done, can the landlord rent the property to a new tenant, or does the landlord have to wait for 2 years?
May 22, 2025
39
If the company loses my passport, what can I do? 0
Hello,
If the company loses my passport, what can I do?
May 28, 2025
24

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Tenant demanding more than RDC verdict. Must I pay before the execution file is issued? 0
Good day,
I am a landlord, and my tenant filed a case with the RDC. The verdict was in his favor, and I am to pay the financial claim, which is the fees and expenses of the case.
The tenant asked for a specific amount, which is higher than the official receipt that the RDC provided. So, I have paid that exact amount directly to the tenant.
Naturally, the tenant asked for more. May I ask for guidance regarding the procedure?
It has not been 15 days since the verdict, so I have been told by the RDC that the case is not final, and I must wait for the execution file to determine the exact amount.
While I am happy to wait for that, my tenant has been threatening to open an execution file if I do not pay before the 15th day. She mentioned a travel ban as well. I feel lost and uncomfortable with the situation.
Please help me understand the procedure.
May 29, 2025
29
Can I travel and return to the UAE during an ongoing labor case against my employer? 0
Hello,
I have filed a case against my employer, and the session is still ongoing in the Dubai court.
Can I travel outside the UAE and then come back?
Jun 2, 2025
47
Can an international supplier still sue me in 2025 for unpaid stock delivered in 2019? 0
Hello,
I own and run a company. We received stock from an international supplier in 2019. However, we were unable to pay due to financial circumstances.
The supplier is now threatening to file a civil case in 2025.
Is there a limitation period within which they can still pursue this debt?
Jun 2, 2025
48
Can we file a case against a customer who launched a campaign online against our business reputation? 0
Hello,
A customer based in Dubai booked a public experience online on the website of a reputable business based in Dubai.
The customer came to the business location, the team was ready to provide the experience as per her booking.
The customer started to shout loudly, claiming that she was expecting a private experience. She refused to do the experience and left. Then she started calling the Management claiming a refund.
The Management explained that as per the T&Cs, experiences booked online are public. The Management offered as a goodwill gesture to refund the customer after deducting the cost of preparations that were paid by the business to set up the experience. The customer refused.
The customer used her Instagram account and as an influencer + Google review to launch a campaign against the business reputation, inciting her audience/people not to use the business services. She used signs of alert/warnings.
Is there a law that punishes such public incitement in the UAE?
Jun 11, 2025
49
How can I remove a travel ban or avoid arrest if I left the UAE with an unpaid rent case? 0
In 2018, I was involved in a dispute concerning unpaid rent related to a property managed by [-----] under the jurisdiction of the Land Department. [----] proceeded with legal action, resulting in a civil case and the imposition of a travel ban.
A civil case had been reported in an Arabic-language newspaper. Not being fluent in Arabic, I missed the Land Department hearing, and the obvious outcome included an order for payment and a travel ban, but I had already left the country by that time.
questions:
Statute of Limitations: After how many years does such a civil case expire under UAE law, thereby allowing me to legally return to Dubai without facing arrest or enforcement actions?
International Travel: Am I currently at risk of arrest or extradition if I travel to non-GCC countries like India or Pakistan?
Forgive my brevity and rudeness due to 1000-character limits
May 29, 2025
56

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Is it legally acceptable to give birth in the UAE if the mother is single? 0
Hello,
Is it okay to give birth in the UAE if the mother is single and the father is married?
Will there be any problem with that, as long as the parents declare that they are the biological parents to obtain the child's birth certificate?
Jun 3, 2025
55
If acquitted by the appeal court, is the travel ban and wanted status automatically removed? 0
Hello,
If acquitted by the appeal court, is the travel ban and wanted status automatically removed? I mean, an innocent verdict was issued by the first instance court, then it was appealed, and after that, the travel ban was there.
Now, the appeal court has issued an acquittal from all charges; so is the travel ban still there, or is it automatically removed after the judgment is issued?
May 21, 2025
25
Is it possible to get out of jail on the same day the case is withdrawn? 0
Hello,
My husband is in jail and the case is still under investigation, but the complainant wants to settle and withdraw the case.
Is it possible for my husband to get out of jail on the same day the case is withdrawn?
May 22, 2025
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After evicting a tenant for renovation, can the landlord rent the property to another tenant? 0
Hello,
If the tenant is evicted due to renovation, once the renovation is done, can the landlord rent the property to a new tenant, or does the landlord have to wait for 2 years?
May 22, 2025
39
UAE credit card was used fraudulently abroad. Bank and police won’t act. What can I do? 0
Hello,
I had a fraudulent and unauthorized transaction on my credit card, but the bank is saying no action can be taken as it happened outside the country.
We approached the police, but they are saying to proceed legally as it happened outside the country.
May 28, 2025
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