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: Dear Sir or Madam, Good Afternoon. Two months ago, we have moved from an apartment, settled all the bills, and collected our security deposit back from the agency. However, the agency is sending us an email saying that the cooker is not working at all at the moment, and that was caused by us. During our stay, we did have an issue with the cooker, smoked started coming out, and at that time we informed the building management as they had to shutdown the power. The oven was fixed afterwards by the building management and was working properly. We didn't pay for anything. Please advise, can agency press charges against us, or do we need to pay for the new cooker, as that is what they are asking from us now? Appreciate your assistance with the matter, Thank you, Andrea

Q: Hi, Recently I've found out that I have a case in Rashidiya Police Station. My landlord filed a case against my deposit cheque. I was surprised by how they managed to file a case on my security deposit if it has been encashed already, and after encashing the cheque, file a case against me using the cheque copy. I don't think this is legal. I should be the one claiming it back as the property has been vacated already and I should get back my security deposit. Please advise on this case

Q: Ex-landlord in Abu Dhabi Khalifa City isn't willing to return full payment that I paid as a security deposit. He claims that 1k will be deducted because I left the carpet and removed the lights whereas the lights were all mine and he communicated in a very ill-mannered way. Kindly assist me with this. Thank you

Q: My landlord has been assuring of returning the deposit for almost a year. Every time I call him, he assures he would call soon regarding this, but never called back. I vacated the flat in March 2018 after paying all the due. I stayed in the same flat for about 6-7 years, and in the middle building, the ownership got changed too. Is there any way I can get my money back without indulging my self into a court case?

Q: I moved out of an apartment in Dubai on 19th of April 2019. It is almost three 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?

Q: My landlord is stating he will hold AED 1700 from my deposit for maintenance: AED 1500 for a new bathtub and AED 200 for cleaning the bathroom after repairs. I handed over the apartment (repainted and cleaned) to the agent that I rented it from, and when I asked him for my deposit during the handover, he said I have to deal directly with the owner and gave me his number. On 4th July I sent a message to the owner asking for my money and he replied he is out of the country and when he comes back he has to go and check the apartment first. On July 18th he sent me a message informing me of the charges. When I asked for receipts (I was sure there are none as the apartment was in perfect condition), 4 days later he sent me a screenshot of "quotation", dated 20 June. When I asked for the actual payment receipts he sent me exactly same screenshot (a day later) with "receipt" instead of quotation (no payment method mentioned, or VAT, or any other mark how was the payment done). What can I do in this case?

Q: Hi, I had vacated my flat before the contract term ends. I received the required NOC and paid for the maintenance as requested by the landlord and submitted all the clearance letter to the landlord, hence he had not returned by security deposit cheque and had deposited the cheque in the bank which got bounced. What can I do in this case?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I recently moved from my old premises to a new one because the landlord wanted the tenants out after an inheritance case as he wants to increase the rent in the building. That case made the renewal of the contract impossible for months but once settled, I paid the amount in one go so I could move out. In order to avoid any issue, I moved out but the landlord is taking time to give me back my deposit telling me that some agent from the justice needs to sign the deposit cheque in order for him to give it to us. Therefore I wanted to inquire if that is true as I'm struggling now financially and that cheque would help me big time. I paid for moving out and moving in, in one go, which caused me a lot of expenses at once and that deposit cheque is more than needed. I gave them time, as they told me it needs 15 days, now it's been 22 days and they're still telling me the court agent did not come to sign the cheque. Could you please advise what is the legal action that I can take?

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.