Q: I have one question if you don’t mind. Today, I spoke to my landlord and asked him to send a legal notice but he said he already sent me the letter. This time I did not receive any letter, nor email, nothing from his side. I asked him to send Aramex report copy so that I can check with them as I don’t receive any letter, but he won’t provide that either. Doesn’t the court or anyone check if the tenant received the letter or not? And in this way, the landlord can lie as well also or play some game. All we need is a bit of time to pay him the amount but he won’t listen. How can I check about this letter as we never received it? He is saying as 30 days if the notice has been completed, so he has filed a case and the judge will decide whereas we have no clue about any of this. We have not received any letter or notice from anyone this time. Where should I check the status of all this?

Q: Hello Advocate Nikhat, How are you, Madam? My house is in Abu Dhabi and I had rent bounced cheques due to my job loss. Q.1 As we know that for a rent cheque bounce, after the police case is closed and the civil case is opened, then in this civil case, the judge will decide on the amount for instalments. Won't he consider what we say about how much we can pay? Q.2 Ref to the above question, it means there is no jail directly if we agree with the judge on the amount to be paid in instalments. Now, I understand that once the instalments are finalized, then we have to pay them regularly. The question is, in the civil case, there is no direct Jail in the first or second hearing, as the judge negotiates the amount for payment, correct? Q.3 During eviction case, when rent/lease is expired. Since the lease is now connected with Tawtheeq, so if Tawtheeq expires as the rent agreement expires, Will ADDC cut my electricity during this time? Q.4 Please, also advise what is Legal Advice Middle East, is it a law firm?

Q: Good evening. My son and husband have been harassed and bullied by a labour camp owner for delayed rent. We have paid him most of the debt by maximising our credit cards. We did not have enough to pay my son's 3000 Dhs outstanding balance. This camp owner has involved my son's employer and has humiliated and embarrassed my son and my husband's reputation. Even when we offered a payment plan which offers a monthly amount of 1000 Dhs until the debt is paid. And my husband has applied for a bank loan to pay the full amount (still in process). But the camp owner has gone and laid a police complaint against my son. After I telephonically spoke to police and explained the payment options they said we must pay 1000 Dhs by month's end. Now I got an email from camp stating that police told them I agree to pay the full amount in 3 days. If not, the camp will go lay a charge to have my son arrested for absconding from debt repayment. Please advise, I feel so sick of worry. Thank you.

س: السلام عليكم أستاذنا الفاضل، مقيم بالإمارات ولدي مستأجر في الشقة ممتنع عن السداد منذ حوالي أكثر من سنة بسبب صعوبة السفر لمتابعة الموضوع. كل فترة يقوم بكتابة كمبيالة بالمبلغ المستحق عليه وإعطائها لابنتي. عندما طلبت منه إخلاء المأجور امتنع. عليه مستحقات عالية جراء استهلاك الكهرباء والماء. أبلغت شركة الكهرباء بفصل الخدمة عن الشقة إلا أنه لم يتم؛ فقمت بفصل الخدمة عنه. رفع شكوى ضد ابنتي. أُجبِرت على رد الخدمة. ملاحظة: العقد منتهي منذ شهر سبتمبر 2020 ومعي منه كمبيالات تأمين وكمبيالات بقيمة الإيجار وعليه قيمة إيجار غير مدفوع. يُرجى الإفادة!

Q: Can legal notice for non-payment of rent in Dubai be sent by DHL or does it have to be Aramex?

س: السلام عليكم، ماذا أفعل مع مستأجر لم يدفع الإيجار لمدة ستة أشهر ولم يدفع فاتورة الكهرباء مما أدى إلى انقطاع الكهرباء عن الشقة المؤجَّرة؟

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.

الإخطار أو الإنذار القانوني هو إجراء قانوني يتم اتخاذه من قبل شخص أو منشأة أو كيان يدعى (المنذر- المخطر) بناء على نص قانوني أو اتفاق عقدي موجه إلى شخص آخر يدعى (المنذر إليه - المخطر اليه) لإبلاغه او إخطاره أو تحذيره باتخاذ إجراء قانوني معين أو تقديم شكوى قضائية ضده في حال لم يتم تنفيذ ما تضمنه الإنذار القانوني خلال المدة الزمنية المحددة به.

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.