Q: Hi, My villa is rented since August 2018 for 155000 pa, payment was agreed upon by 2 cheques, and Ejari was registered in 2018. In August 2020 (COVID Time), I was outside the UAE and the tenant asked me to lower the rent to 142000 and offered to pay monthly rental payments by bank transfer. Due to the COVID situation, I accepted his offer by email and since then, the tenant pays rent monthly through bank transfers. In April 2022 (which is 90 days to renewal in August 2022), I sent him an email to rent review as the rental value for my villa increased. However, the tenant did not agree and kept saying there is no rent increase for my villa. We exchanged several emails. and no conclusion. Now in October 2022, I have obtained a rental valuation certificate from DLD which states the current rental value is 200000. I will appreciate your advice about how to proceed with the rental increase, and what is my legal position in this issue. The tenancy agreement and Ejari are officially not renewed for the last few years.

Q: I bought a villa without viewing it on 30-12-2022. It was rented at AED 75,000/year (contract expiry 23-03-2022). The previous landlord served an eviction notice (Sale) in September 2021 to the tenant for 12 months. He also sent an email 90 days before the expiry of the tenancy agreement to the tenant informing him that "the rent increase will be as per RERA guidelines and by him or the new owner if he managed to sell the villa before March 23, 2022". Last week, the tenant sent an email requesting to renew the contract and then on WhatsApp chat he agreed to a rent renewal at AED 100,000. When I sent the tenancy contract to him on WhatsApp, his lawyer sent me a legal notice: 1. Forcing me to renew the contract with AED 75,000 and not as per the RERA increase which will be almost 95,000. The current market is AED 125,000 2. Not allowing me to inspect/view the villa and if I insist, then he will take legal action against me What should I do?

Q: My tenants wish to renew their contracts but unfortunately, we are unable to agree on the increased rental price to reflect the significant changes in the market over the past year. Instead, they quote that the RERA rental price index suggests that no increase is in fact allowed despite the fact that no property can be found at that price in the same area. Given the fact we are unable to agree, am I correct in my understanding that now I must give them a new contract upon the expiry of the old one at below market rates? Also, can I invoke the 12-month notice period to vacate, as stated in their current contract (I could have done this before now but chose not to), via email? Thank you in advance for your responses.

Q: Hi, I am an agent and I recently sold one rented property. There are still 8-9 months left for the tenancy contract, since now we have a new owner. So we prepared a new tenancy contract and asked the tenant for his signature on the new tenancy contract and to replace the cheques under the name of the new owner. However, the tenant keeps delaying the process and not responding. How can we replace the cheques under the new owner's name? If not, how can we legally ask the tenant for the replacement of cheques? We do have old cheques.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, What is the rule on rental increases if the Rera Rental Index is not available, as is the case for our developer? Owners often behave as if this area is a zone without any rules at all. Thank you!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I have a question about rent renewal for an apartment in Dubai. My contract is up for renewal in 3 months, and I received notification of a 20% rent increase. When attempting to use the Dubai Land rent calculator, I encountered the message: "Rental index data is not available for this period and will be updated later." Data is only available until the end of March. If my contract were up for renewal now and I could use the rent calculator, there would be no increase in rent according to the calculator. The owner is using current market rates as a basis, not the rent index. What rates should be used to calculate any increase in rent?

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 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.

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.

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.