Q: Hi, Before my contract ended, I requested my landlord to perform maintenance on the flat as the cement on the ceiling was falling down, and the paint was peeling due to a high volume of mold. However, they rejected my request, so we decided not to renew the flat. Now they are asking me to pay for two months due to late notice. Initially, I did not plan to cancel, but due to the rejection of maintenance, we decided to move out. Please advise me on what I should do. Thank you!

Q: Hello I have a tenancy contract with a small real estate company in RAK. I have a problem with the water supply for 2 months and I have a nonsecure neighbourhood with a lot of Africans without work and I don't feel safe there. I found new accommodation and I want to move out but the agent is telling me I need to pay for one extra month. Please advise me, is it mandatory to pay an extra month or the agent is just trying to make some cash for himself? It remains 3 months until my contract will expire, but I want to move in the end of this month. Thanks

Q: We have still 7 months left on our tenancy contract but the property has too many issues and in one room the ceiling has fallen down due to leaks. Is there any way we can break the contract and receive the rent for remaining months and our security deposit back? Thanks for the advice.

Q: I own an apartment in Dubai which I rent out. The apartment below has reported water damage, and now the building management company is holding me responsible, asking me to fix both the leak and the damage to the unit below. I disagree with this for two main reasons: 1. The management company did not act quickly to stop the leak, and both my tenant and I were out of the country at the time. Had they intervened sooner, the damage could have been minimized. 2. I believe the leak may be due to construction defects or poor materials used by the developer. The building is less than three years old, and I bought the apartment directly from the developer. I don't see how any of this is my or my tenant's fault. I need legal advice on how to challenge this claim and understand my rights. Please let me know if you can help.

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 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.