Q: I’m a tenant, and due to some financial problems this year I’ve been paying my rent pretty later than the date. My landlord sent me notary notice for April, May and June cheques which I paid him off in cash within due time but still, he has not taken back the case as yet. I have the copy of the payment receipt which I paid him. Again I got late with my July, Aug and Sept cheques which I haven’t paid him yet and I’ve asked him to give me some time to pay him off the amount. He’s been calling me on and off and threatening me that he will throw me out of the house, even though he has not sent me any official letter yet. Now my question is since he didn't withdraw the previous case (April-May-June), can he throw us out on the basis of that old letter (as we paid him the amount of that notice in time)? Or he has to provide us with a new notary public letter of 30 days again. I want to pay him all the amount but I just need some time. At the end of December, my contract is expiring.

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!

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.