Q: I have served notice on my rental property in Dubai. The early termination clause states that I must give 30 days notice and pay 2 months penalty rent. Is the 2 months penalty consecutive to the notice period or is it concurrent with it? Appreciate any advice.

Q: Is it possible to cancel a property rental contract before the designated move-in date that has been signed already? What are the rights of the landlord on my cheques that have been given to him already? Will I have to pay any fees even though I have not received the keys to the place yet, and I am also unable to move due to the COVID-19 lockdown?

Q: Dear sir/madam, My tenancy contract expires on 17.07. 2020. On 22.12.2019, I emailed the owner with a termination of the contract to be on 31.03.2020. The contract says: The Lessee may terminate Contract and vacate Premises following the Labor's written consent and upon Lessee agreeing the following: (a) Provide at least two months written notice to the Lessor prior to the expiry of the Term of its intention to vacate the Premises where such notice once served cannot be retracted unless the Lessor provides its written consent; (b) Settlement of the Lessors administration fee currently in force for breaking the Contract prior to the expiry of the Term, subject to the Lessor's approval. The Lessor is not obliged to refund to the Lessee any difference in rent in case of an early break of the Contract. The owner says that this notice period is applicable only to non-renewal, not early termination so either to pay penalty or complete till 16.07.2020. Is this true? Is there a limit to the penalty to 2 or 3 months or can they ask for more?

Q: My landlord/agency may be filing a case against me in court over a rental contract. I broke my contract as I lost my job. He has 2 cheques with him, however, I gave him 2 months' written notice on emergency grounds as I lost my job and visa. He insists that I should pay 1 or 2 months penalty fee. Please advise me further. Thank you for your time!

Q: I have a tenant in JBR for many years who is paying rent in 2 payments. The 2nd payment was due 1/3/18 but he delayed it and has now sent me the payment for only 4 months, as he wants to leave at end of June as per the clause below. The contract states: 6. If the tenant would like to terminate the tenancy agreement prior to the contract end date, three months written notice must be given by the tenant and the tenant will be required to pay the equivalent of one month's rent as compensation to the landlord with all remaining rent returned to the tenant. 7. If clause 6 is invoked, the tenant will be refunded his/her remaining rent (excluding the one-month penalty) and the security deposit depending on a move-out inspection report of the property. My point is that he should have paid the full 6 months rent installments on the 1st of March and he would have received a refund of only 1 month after moving out. Do I have any grounds to take action against him?

Q: How can I appeal a house rent case if I never stayed in the apartment and did not sign any contract or provided any cheques but did not close the water and electricity account?

Q: Dear sir/madam, I was not aware of the 90 days prior information to be provided to the landlord and neither the agency told me about it while signing the contract. It is nowhere mentioned on the contract that I should notify 90 days prior to the end of the contract term. I did inform them 26 days before vacating and then the agency told me that I should have informed them 90 days prior and now there will be a penalty. I feel cheated through the lack of information provided. What to do in this case?

Q: Hi, My landlord sent me a legal notice informing me of his intention to sell the apartment. As a result, he will not be renewing the tenancy contract which ends on 31-07-2024. The legal notice is dated 21-02-2024. I am aware that as per RERA there needs to be a 12-month notice in such cases. My question is do I have to vacate once my contract ends on 31-07-2024 or after the notice period lapses i.e. 21-02-2025?

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.