Q: I moved out of an apartment in Abu Dhabi on 5th of June 2017. The property management company issued me with a clearance certificate for the air conditioning with the intent of deducting the final amount owed from the security deposit. It is almost two months later and they still have not refunded the balance of the security deposit. I have made repeated requests to get the money back but they are just wasting my time. How can I proceed to get this money back? In my home country, we can go to a small claims court in which the defendant would be ordered to pay, plus pay the court fees. I tried to find similar on the ADJD website but could not and as the amount is for 1300Dhs, I don't want to have to spend this filing a court case, if I am liable for the fees also.

Q: Good Day, I would like to know, unfortunately, I had to cancel my tenancy contract before the expiry date, now my penalty was 2-month rent, which I accepted, but it then came to my knowledge that there was already new tenants lined up to move in 2 days after I have vacated. They also want to give me back 200 AED of 3000 AED deposit, for damages which were already there when I moved in and notified them about, but the person I dealt with, is no longer with them, and they "can't find" the email I have sent to them. What is the best way to go about this? I feel like they are completely taking advantage.

Q: How can I force the landlord to give me back my security deposit? My lease ended two weeks ago and I still have AED 10,000 deposit that the landlord did not give back yet. He doesn’t respond to calls/texts. He sent quotations to me today asking me to cover for fixes that were there before I moved in. How can I deal with him in the fastest possible way?

Q: I have returned back to the UK. When I left the UAE, my landlord was out of the country, or so he said. So he used this as an excuse and he didn't return my final rent cheque which had previously been agreed. He subsequently tried to cash the cheque after I had left the country and when that failed, he threatened to report the incident to the police. How do I find out if he has done so because I would like to visit my friends and colleagues?

س: قمت بإنهاء خدماتي في الإمارات وقمت بإخلاء البيت المستأجر وفق القانون وحصلت براءة ذمة من المؤجر كوني لم أكمل العقد وعملت تسويه مالية معهم وحصلت على براءة ذمة من البلديه والكهرباء. وعند طلبي الشيكات التي بحوزتهم أخبروني أنها مع المحاسب وأنه غير موجود، وكان موعد السفر في اليوم الثاني فلم أتمكن من استرجاع الشيكات. أخبروني عبر الهاتف أن لا أقلق وأنهم سوف يتلفوها. وبعد مغادرتي بنحو شهر وعن طريق الصدفة، اكتشفت أنهم أرسلوا شيك إلى البنك لصرفه وأصبح كأنه شيك مرتجع. أرجو نصحي ما الحل، خصوصاً وجودي خارج الدولة يصعب الاتصال معهم وأخشى وجود اسمي في المطار. فهل هذا يعتبر خيانة أمانه من طرفهم بهذا التصرف؟ وشكراً

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.

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 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.

The provisions of this Decree by Law amend the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 by replacing Clause (4) of Article (379) as well as Articles (600), (617), (641), (642), (643), (644), and adding new articles numbered (635) Bis, (641) Bis (1), (641) Bis (2), (641) Bis (3), (641) Bis (4), (643) Bis (1), (643) Bis (2), (644) Bis (1) and (644) Bis (2). The Decree-Law also repeals Articles (401), (402) and (403) of the Federal Law No. (3) of 1987.