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: Dear Sir/Madam, I sent a renewal notice to my Dubai tenant with more than 3 months advance. In the renewal, I adjusted the rental increase as per RERA of 5% and requested a change in payment conditions from 4 to 2 cheques. The tenant agreed to the new amount but did not agree to the new payment conditions because, according to him, the provisions to change the terms in the contract allowed by RERA were only suggestions and not enforceable. Therefore, the contract renewal has not yet gone forward because we do not agree with his interpretation. While consulting our options, RERA updated the rental increase for the area from 5% to 15% since the tenant is paying well below market price. We sent the tenant a new proposal with the updated RERA-allowed increase of 15%, offering back payments of 4 cheques. The tenant refused again, arguing that the new proposal is not applicable since we are now out of the 90-day previous notification window required. Please advise our options!

Q: Hi, My landlord sent me a 12-month notice to evacuate because they wish to sell their apartment. They initially wanted to increase the rent, but I spoke to them and agreed to the increase. We then agreed to renew the tenancy agreement based on the rental increase. However, I still have the notice because the landlord said she was unable to cancel it, as there is no option to cancel on the system. She said that once we renew the contract, the notice will be automatically invalidated. Is this true? I am renewing my contract in accordance with their terms of rent increase, but the landlord has been unable to retract the notice. How does she invalidate or retract the notice? What are my best options here? Thanks!

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.

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.

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.