Q: My landlord is trying to increase my rent outside of the RERA Index, using a DLD valuation as the basis. The sequence of events: 1. 90 days before my renewal, the landlord offered me a new lease with a 10% increase on my current rental 2. I challenged this by sharing the RERA rental index result, which stated there is no increase in the rental value 3. landlord decided at this point to do a DLD rental valuation 4. Last Friday, 49 days before my current lease expires, the landlord shared the valuation, which showed an increase of 21% on the rent (or looking at it another way, my current rent is 17.5% less than this current valuation) Can the landlord do that, and what is he legally allowed to increase my rent by in this scenario?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Would you clarify whether the Rent Valuation Certificate supersedes RERA's Index for the rent renewal contract process? My tenancy contract is dated 05.10.2023 for renewal. I agreed to increase the rent according to RERA's Index and sent him the RERA index calculation certificate, which shows a 5% increase. However, he replied that, according to Law 43 of the year 2013, the rental index is not the sole reference for the benchmark rent that you have shared. According to the law, he can request a rent evaluation certificate for this apartment, which is currently 20% higher than my rent. Therefore, the rent will now have to be according to the Rent Valuation Certificate. I proposed to him to increase the rent by 7.5% instead of the 5% calculated by the RERA calculator. However, he insists on a 20% increase.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I sent my tenant in Dubai a rent increase notice before the 90-day period required by RERA. The RERA rent calculator does not allow any rent increase in this case, but I requested a Rental Valuation Certificate from the Dubai Land Department, which showed a rent increase. According to the law, which one will the Rent and Dispute Center follow?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Advice on rent rules: Can a RERA rental valuation certificate allow a landlord to increase rent arbitrarily? I received an email from my landlord saying they have taken out a RERA rental valuation certificate which legally allows them to increase the rent to that particular number, which is substantially higher than my current rent. My question is, is this allowed? My current rent was already increased by 10% last year, and now the landlord wants to increase it this year, so over two years, it is a 35% increase. What are my options here? Any advice would be helpful!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I obtained the rent evaluation certificate, which indicates that the comparable unit rent is AED 160,000. The tenant is currently paying AED 100,800. I understand that the formula for calculating the percentage increase is as follows: 160,000 - 100,800 = 59,200. Since the difference between the exact value of the comparable unit rent (rental evaluation certificate) and the current rent is nearly 59%, am I permitted to request a 20% increase based on the aforementioned information and the law? I am aware of Decree No. (43) of 2013 regarding the Determination of the Increase in Rent for Properties in the Emirate of Dubai. It does not address my specific question regarding the exact calculation formula, particularly in the case where the rent evaluation certificate is used as a reference.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I reside in a Dubai community, and my tenancy renewal is approximately 95 days away. The landlord is proposing a 15% rent increase, primarily based on rents listed on propertyfinder.ae, claiming that my current rent is 25% below market rates. However, the RERA Rental Index indicates "no increase in the rental value" as my rent is at the top of the quoted range, prompting me to reject the proposed increase. The real estate broker he hired at the time of my move-in recently contacted me, serving as an intermediary, mentioning that he would conduct a DLD valuation, likely resulting in a higher value. However, he is attempting to negotiate first, considering the cost of around 2500 AED. If we were to dispute, is the RERA Index Calculator the sole authoritative source for determining rent increases? Additionally, if the DLD valuation is accepted, what is the potential maximum increase?

Q: What are your guidance and opinion on the below matter? On 28th August, 90 days before the renewal, I sent an email notice for renewal of rent at AED X. The tenant disagreed with the rent renewal, stating that AED X is not in line with the rental index. Enough reasons, the tenant did not agree. The apartment comprises the following features: one bedroom and a small one, a bed, and a cupboard. Provided kitchen with home appliances fridge, washing machine, and cooking range oven. When the tenant did not agree and no conclusion was reached, I was left with the option to seek a DLD Rental Evaluation, which I obtained on 28th Nov 2023. The DLD provided a rental valuation of AED Y. I communicated the DLD-provided rental valuation of AED Y to the tenant on 28th Nov 2023. On the same day, I also provided a fair option to continue for 3 months at the last year's rent and to consider the revised 90 days' notice based on DLD rental valuation to decide whether to continue with the renewal or not.

Q: Hi, I have a conflict with the management company of the building; they are cheaters trying to increase the rent from 22,000 AED to 30,000 AED. Please, could you advise on how to deal with this scam company? Regards,

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, My landlord suggested a 10% rent increase despite the Rent Index indicating no increase for my unit. His argument is that the unit is partially furnished and has a better view. Is this a legally legitimate reason? What should be my counterargument?

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.

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

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.