Q: Hi, I live and work in Dubai. I recently got married and want to bring my wife to Dubai on a spouse visa. For that, one of the essential conditions is to have a lease agreement with 1 year lease period. The nature of my job is such that I may have to relocate to another country anytime. Also, I have an open application for immigration to another country and I may get a PR within a few months or so. In either of the case, there is a possibility that I might have to terminate my tenancy contract before it officially ends. Please advise if it's possible & legally acceptable to have an early exit clause, something like "the tenant (or both the parties) may terminate the contract any time after three months of signing the contract by giving one month notice to the other party. No penalty shall be applicable in such case." Of course, this subjects to finding a landlord who would agree to such condition. But I find one, can the standard contracts be modified to add such clause? Thanks SJ

Q: Dear Sir/Ma'am, I have rented a studio in Discovery Gardens, it was for 3 cheques and the tenancy contract started on Jan. 11, 2018. My first cheque was paid to cover the period until May 11, 2018. My issue is I am getting another job outside the UAE and I plan to vacate and terminate the contract on March 11, 2018. My question is, can I still get the remaining amount of 2 months or it can be used as a penalty for breaching the contract? Thanks, I will highly appreciate your opinion.

Q: Due to termination of work, I would like to leave the flat earlier than contract period. What is the impact?

Q: Hello, Our contract for our villa expires this Thursday, 30th April. Due to the coronavirus lockdown, we had not been able to leave our home to view other villas until the lockdown got lifted on Friday, 24th April. This gives us only a week to view properties and move. We asked our landlord for up to a few more weeks here to give us a bit more time. In the meantime, I will let people see the villa and show them around whilst he also tries to find new tenants. He declined and said that we can stay for another month if we pay the same rent pro-rata for a month. We explained that we cannot afford that; it is the reason why we are moving to find a cheaper place. We offered 15,000 instead of 25,000 for one extra month and I will be happy for people to view whilst we are in it, but he also declined that offer. He has not shown any consideration for us, we find it difficult to move over the lockdown. What is our position if we stay a few weeks beyond our contract expiry date?

Q: Hi, I purchased an apartment and at that time, it was already occupied by a tenant. Since I bought it for me for personal use, as per the law, I gave 12 months-eviction notice by the notary public. His eviction date is the 30th of Jan 2023. He informed me a day back that he has finalized another apartment but can only move on 20th March 2023 as that apartment will be vacated on 20th March, and is asking for 1 month and 20 days extension. Now my questions are: 1. What is the legal way to extend the current contract for just 1 month and 20 days? 2. Should I sign a new contract for 1 month and 20 days? 3. Now the most important question is if I sign a short-term contract just for 1 month and 20 days, does it nullify the Dubai court's eviction notice?

Q: Hi I own an apartment in Dubai. I want to give 12 months' notice to my tenant. The reason is my brother "might" move to Dubai in the next 6 months. In case my brother decides not to move to Dubai, can I cancel the 12 months notice to my tenant? If I am allowed to cancel the notice, is there any deadline to cancel the notice or I can cancel the notice 11 months after I have given the 12 months notice?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I own an apartment in Dubai and served the tenant a legal eviction notice through Dubai courts in March 2023. The reason for the eviction notice was that I was planning to move into the apartment. However, my circumstances have changed, and the original tenancy contract end date is December 2023. The tenant has now requested a one-month extension of the contract until January 2024. Can I revoke the eviction notice that I have already served?

Q: Hello Ms.Shamsa, I lost an eviction case filed by my landlord. The eviction date is after two weeks but I need some more time to vacate. I plan to move into the flat I bought but my tenant is traveling and he needs time to vacate. How can I request an extension of the eviction date?

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. 

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.