Q: I am living in a hotel apartment in Abu Dhabi. For the last 3 days, my flat does not have electricity and water. I have already paid them 6 months' rent on contract. Hotel management is saying that they have to deposit AED 300K to ADDC, then only electricity will resume. It's been three days since the electricity is there. Can someone point me in the right direction, where to complain and so that my flat electricity is back?

Q: What are my options to take legal action against my apartment building for not fixing the constant issues that I am facing in my bathroom? For over 2 months now, I have been fighting with them to get more hot water and to stop leaks in my bathroom that are caused by a bad water heater. The building management has not been able to fix these issues and is now telling me to find my own technician and pay for another water heater. I know this is illegal. Please help!

Q: I live in a 4 bedroom apartment in Deira/Dubai. 3 out of the 4 bedrooms have sewage leakage problem somewhere in the ceiling and the smell is horrible. The landlord refuses to fix the problem even though my tenancy contract clearly states that he must fix on his expense. To make the story short, After filing for a case against him at the RDC, It all went down to the police station where he refused to sign a paper that states his willingness to fix. Next, a Dubai Municipality official visited the apartment and submitted a report to the Land Department confirming that the apartment smells very bad. All meanwhile I refused to pay any rent to pressure this landlord to fix. So now 4 months have passed and the accumulated rent has built up to above AED 100,000. The landlord has filed a case to claim the rental amount. What to do? And how can he file a case against me at the RDC without the RDC asking him to fix the apartment first?! Can I refuse to pay this landlord? I think it is unfair to pay!

Q: Hi, I paid 10% (booking fee) to a real estate company for renting a warehouse compound in Dubai. We had a verbal and written agreement (via invoice) that if the deal didn’t go through, they would refund the full 10% booking fee. The landlord took a lot of time and the deal didn’t go through, now one of the real estate agents is saying his partner is a scammer (2 owners). He says he always does this and does not refund clients' booking amounts. Right now, one partner says he will refund the money but it’s been a month since I asked for the money back. He is always telling stories. However, he gave me a personal cheque of around 60k saying this was a guarantee cheque. However, he didn’t have any money in it so asked me not to deposit it. I really need my money back. How to proceed with this? Should I go to RERA or the police to help me get my money back asap? Kindly assist. Thank you

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.

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.

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.