Q: Hello, I am a landlord in Dubai and I wish to send a 12-month legal eviction notice to my tenant for my intention to sell my property after the 12-month eviction notice. My question is: If after putting my property on the market for sale I don't manage to sell it and I decide to rent it out again, can my tenant take any legal action against me or ask for any compensation? Will they be entitled to that?

Q: My landlord has asked us for a 33% rent increase and I responded by informing him that according to Dubai law, the maximum rental increase he can impose on me is 20%. He then replied back and gave me 24 hours to respond and agree to the 33%, or else he will evict me (all communications have been done through email). 2 days later, I received a 12 months eviction notice through the notary. The eviction said it was for the reason of selling his property. Fast forward, I moved out at the end of the 12 months. Then less than 2 months later (48 days later), he rented the property to another tenant for a higher price (I have managed to obtain a copy of the Ejari of the new tenant). My question is: Is it worth it to go to the RDC and file a case? Or is this a gray area in the Dubai rental law, and there is a chance that the judge won't order the landlord to pay any compensation? Please let me know what is the success probability here.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I have just found proof that my former landlord in Dubai rented out my old apartment at a much higher price to a new tenant the month after I moved out. I also have proof that he was “intending to sell” the apartment in a message. I signed a contract stating that I would move out at the end of the lease, which I did, based on his advice that he is selling the apartment. I received an official legal notice with “sale” as the reason for eviction four months after I signed the contract. I left on the date as per the contract in good faith that he would be selling the apartment. Please let me know if I have a case and can file for compensation.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, We are due to be evicted from the villa we are renting in October 2023 because the landlord wants it for personal use. We received 12 months' notice in the correct manner. We are not happy to move, as we have been living here for 7.5 years. We found a new property to rent, which is more expensive and smaller. Last week, we asked our current landlord to confirm that he still wants the villa for his family and to let us know if anything changes. He confirmed that he still wants the property. Last night, we signed a new contract for the new villa and paid agent's fees and deposit. We will move in October. Today, our current landlord says he has changed his mind and that we can stay. Where do we stand? We feel it is too late, as we have asked many times to stay and he has always refused. Can we raise a case if he rents the villa to new tenants?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I have received a notice through Dubai courts from the landlord stating that he does not want to renew for the purpose of "Personal Use," as mentioned in the notice. He brought his family for viewing as well. After a couple of weeks of the notice, he sent me a WhatsApp message saying that he wants to show the house to other viewers because he is willing to sell.Is the notice I received still valid? Should he send me a new notice mentioning that he wants to sell? Does the current notice force me to leave the house in case he sells it before my contract ends?

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.

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 determines the maximum percentage of rent increase for real property in the Emirate of Dubai when renewing lease contracts.