Q: In my landlord-tenant dispute scenario I have received conflicting answers from lawyers, so I want to know if you have any real judicial judgments from the RDC on this: The property was tenanted and the tenant received a court-stamped 12-month eviction notice due to the landlord wanting to sell the property. The property was sold to a new owner prior to the end of the 12-month period. The tenant claimed that the previous eviction notice was invalidated due to a change of ownership and refused to vacate. The new landlord sent a subsequent court-stamped notice, referencing the date of the previous eviction notice and instructing the tenant to leave as the landlord desires to move in himself. The tenant claims that the subsequent notice has no legal basis, neither in reinforcing the original notice nor as a new 12-month eviction notice. The original 12-month eviction period will expire on June 8 and the new landlord will raise an RDC case on June 9 to evict the tenant.

Q: I am buying a villa in Dubai. It was rented by the previous landlord until 31 May 2022. He served 12 months' notice on 17 October 2021. I am willing to ask for eviction from the tenant as per article 25 (personal use) at the end of the current contract (vs. the 12 months notice). Can I do it? What would be the process? Thanks!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, As a new owner, should I send a legal eviction notice referring to the notice served by the previous owner, especially when the tenant has agreed to vacate the property in the lease renewal after the previous notice was served? The tenant is now changing their mind and saying that the agreement to vacate the property was on the rental contract with the previous owner and that what was agreed with them does not apply to the new owner.

Q: Hi Lawyers, I want to send a notary eviction notice to my tenant with a 12-month notice period. How much are the total legal fees applied here to send the notice? I am in the process of applying for a title deed. Is a title deed required to issue this notice?

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.

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.

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