Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
9 available 9 • View allCan the landlord increase the rent using the DLD valuation instead of the RERA Rental Index?



4
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?




Feb 10, 2023
3089
Can a landlord increase rent above RERA limits using DLD valuation?



2
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?




Jun 6, 2023
687
What does the RDC consider in rent increase disputes, RERA Index or Land Department Valuation?
1
Q: Hi,
My rent renewal is due at the end of May.
My landlord wants to increase my rent by 35% while the RERA Index is stating a 0% increase because I am within the average rental rate.
The land-lord's management keeps responding back to me with the "valuation" report for an apartment that is vacant, not the apartment I am living in.
I keep responding to them that the RERA Index states otherwise and that I am entitled to a 0% increase. What should I do?

May 25, 2023
363
Can I increase the rent as per rent valuation Certificate if RERA does not allow it?



2
Q: Hi,
I am a landlord and getting 105k as rent.
The renewal is coming and the RERA index shows no increase but I got RVC which says the rental value is AED 150k.
How much can I ask for an increase from the tenant?




Sep 25, 2023
192
Can I file and appeal against a case for approving the right to increase rent by my landlord?




0
Q: Hi there,
1. The landlord requested a 10% increase in rent upon renewal.
2. The RERA calculator does not allow an increase.
3. Offer and Deposit carried out by us.
5. The decision was ruled in our favor with renewal at current rental rates.
6. The landlord carried out a Rental Evaluation and filed a case against us.
7. Judgement was issued and the landlord won a case and got a 10% increase and we have to pay his fees, etc.
Is there any point in appealing this decision?
i.e. perhaps based on the offer and deposit that was given in our favor to renew with current rates (and we could say we followed the guidelines but now we are being punished by this as the landlord obtained a rental evaluation certificate).
Thank you





Oct 17, 2023
130
Can I request a 20% increase based on rent evaluation certificate?



2
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.




Nov 12, 2023
180
What can I do if the landlord insists on rent increase as per RERA Rental Index?

0
Q: What are your guidance and opinion on the below matter?
On 28th August, 90 days before the renewal, I sent an email notice for renewal of rent at AED X. The tenant disagreed with the rent renewal, stating that AED X is not in line with the rental index.
Enough reasons, the tenant did not agree. The apartment comprises the following features: one bedroom and a small one, a bed, and a cupboard. Provided kitchen with home appliances fridge, washing machine, and cooking range oven.
When the tenant did not agree and no conclusion was reached, I was left with the option to seek a DLD Rental Evaluation, which I obtained on 28th Nov 2023. The DLD provided a rental valuation of AED Y.
I communicated the DLD-provided rental valuation of AED Y to the tenant on 28th Nov 2023.
On the same day, I also provided a fair option to continue for 3 months at the last year's rent and to consider the revised 90 days' notice based on DLD rental valuation to decide whether to continue with the renewal or not.


Nov 30, 2023
259
Can a landlord use the same evaluation certificate to increase the rent twice?




3
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?





Apr 19, 2024
140
How does the Dubai RERA Index account for apartment size and furnishings?


1
Q: Dear Lawyers,
Dubai RERA Index is based on the standard number of rooms.
How to factor in the size of the apartment and whether it is furnished?



Sep 2, 2024
144
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allWhat 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
3979
Procedures of the Rental Dispute Settlement Center in Dubai 21
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.
Oct 20, 2018
21417
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allDecree No. (43) of 2013 Determining Rent Increases for Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai 9
This Decree determines the maximum percentage of rent increase for real property in the Emirate of Dubai when renewing lease contracts.
Dec 18, 2013
13265
Law 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
24341
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
25048

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