Q: My landlord is trying to increase my rent outside of the RERA Index, using a DLD valuation as the basis. The sequence of events: 1. 90 days before my renewal, the landlord offered me a new lease with a 10% increase on my current rental 2. I challenged this by sharing the RERA rental index result, which stated there is no increase in the rental value 3. landlord decided at this point to do a DLD rental valuation 4. Last Friday, 49 days before my current lease expires, the landlord shared the valuation, which showed an increase of 21% on the rent (or looking at it another way, my current rent is 17.5% less than this current valuation) Can the landlord do that, and what is he legally allowed to increase my rent by in this scenario?

Q: Dear All, My rent renewal is due in April 2023 and currently paying AED 143000. The RERA Rental Index calculation shows an increase of 10%. The landlord sent a letter (90 days prior) along with a DLD valuation certificate attached stating that the rent will be increased to AED 220,000 (a 50%+ increase) based on the assessment of the property. Are there any options available to be able to contest this sizeable increase? (RDC will state that the landlord can use the valuation certificate to increase the rent now). Many thanks for your help.

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: Dear Sir/Madam, My landlord in Dubai wants to increase my rent by an amount that is double the permitted increase by the RERA index (10%). I have insisted on capping the increase at the RERA index amount (5%). The landlord is threatening to request a Dubai Land Department (DLD) valuation, which he says will override the RERA index amount and likely result in a much higher increase (he says up to 40%). This is because my rent is generally low for the market. Can the DLD valuation really override the increase that is permitted by RERA?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I obtained the rent evaluation certificate, which indicates that the comparable unit rent is AED 160,000. The tenant is currently paying AED 100,800. I understand that the formula for calculating the percentage increase is as follows: 160,000 - 100,800 = 59,200. Since the difference between the exact value of the comparable unit rent (rental evaluation certificate) and the current rent is nearly 59%, am I permitted to request a 20% increase based on the aforementioned information and the law? I am aware of Decree No. (43) of 2013 regarding the Determination of the Increase in Rent for Properties in the Emirate of Dubai. It does not address my specific question regarding the exact calculation formula, particularly in the case where the rent evaluation certificate is used as a reference.

Q: Dear Madam/Sir, We live in Dubai. My landlord is trying to increase my rent outside the RERA index, based on a DLD valuation, which he still hasn't received (for 2 months). 1. 90 days before the renewal of my lease, the landlord offered me a new lease with a 20% increase in my current rent, with these words: "Please be advised of a rent increase of 20% based on rental evaluation report which is under process and in line with RERA rules and regulation." 2. I contested this offer by communicating the result of the RERA rent index, indicating that the maximum percentage increase is 5%. 3. The landlord insisted, saying that the 20% increase would indeed be effective and that he would communicate the rental evaluation to us shortly. 4. Now, we still don't have the evaluation report, 2 months after his e-mail requesting a 20% rent increase. Can the landlord legally increase our rent without even waiting for the evaluation report and without respecting the RERA rules? Thank you!

Q: I'm a landlord looking to renew my tenant's contract. I had done a property valuation and the amount stated is higher than the current rent. Am I eligible to increase the rental amount to a maximum of 20% or is the valuation not applicable?

Q: Hello all, I'm renting a villa in the Springs area. Last year, the landlord made an evaluation certificate in March 2023 and 90 days before renewal, the property management company informed me that based on the evaluation certificate, the landlord would increase the price by 20%, I accepted it. Current contract from July 2023 till July 2024, rent value 160,000. In March 2024, I received an email from the landlord (92 days before renewal) that he wanted to increase rent again by 20% and attached the same certificate from March 2023 which has been used for the 2023 contract renewal. The certificate states that validity is 1 year. So when they sent an email with a notification, the certificate was still officially valid. Can the landlord use the evaluation certificate twice to increase property rent in 2023 and then in 2024? Why evaluation certificate is valid for 1 year if the market changes every month? How can I check that the certificate is not "fake"? Can the landlord use a certificate issued in March 2023 to increase the rent for the property, considering that the contract renewal date is in July 2024?

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.

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

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.