Q: Greetings, I've been renting the property I'm living at for one year now. The contract was renewed and we agreed on an increase a bit beyond the 5% specified in the contract. 3 weeks before renewing, I was contacted by a real estate agent "coordinating the contract renewal". I found out later that this agent offered another tenant who would pay about 20k more for renting the property. But my landlord couldn't just kick me out because we already agreed on renewing and he has to give me a 1-year notice. We renewed the contract and signed it, and 2 weeks later, I received an eviction notice on my email. When I asked my landlord about it, he said "I need the property to be vacated so that I can live in it". He has about 12 properties he rents, and out of the blue now he wants to live in this specific one where this "agent" is offering tenants a higher rent. Is it even legal to give an eviction notice so that he can charge higher rent? What can I do now?

Q: Hello, I received an eviction notice citing "personal reasons". If I vacate the apartment before the end of the 12-month lease term due to inconvenience: - Is the landlord obligated to refund the remainder of my rent? - Can the landlord rent the apartment again during the remainder of the lease term, despite the eviction notice and the requirement not to rent it out for two years after that? - Is it legal for the landlord to rescind the eviction notice closer to the end date and propose a higher rent, after causing inconvenience for me to look for another place or even after I have already moved out? - Can I sue them even after they cancel the eviction? (I may have an idea of their strategy and want to ensure that I am protected by the law). Thank you!

Q: I’ve been served a notice on a property in a place where all landlords are evicting tenants due to the rental increase. It’s easy for a landlord to serve notice and then not actually move in (which is the reason he has given). I’ve spent a lot of money on landscaping the garden as it was empty when I moved in. How can I contest the eviction notice? My landlord owns more than one property in Dubai and he lives in India. He keeps saying he is moving in, yet the notice he served also says he is evicting me due to his need to move or sell it.

Q: Good morning, I have just received an eviction notice. The reason for the eviction is the "urgent need for a notifier for conducting alterations and comprehensive maintenance". I think that this eviction notice is unjustified as the apartment was completely refurbished in May/June 2022, with a new kitchen, bathroom furniture and fittings, new tiles, and a new water heater (I have a video of the ongoing works). The works were still ongoing when I moved in, in June '22. I couldn't use the apartment to the full extent and unpack until the works were completed in September'22. I suspect that the landlord wants to get rid of me due to the spike in rental prices in Dubai. According to the RERA calculator, she could raise the rent to a maximum of 15%. In the case of letting the apartment to a new tenant, she would get much more. Doesn't the landlord need to provide me with a technical report attested by Dubai Municipality together with the eviction notice? What are my options? What can I do to prevent the eviction?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I evicted my tenant to move in, but my plans have changed since I am leaving Dubai soon. Can I sell the property? Their eviction will end in October.

Q: I want to file a case against my previous landlord as I found out after a while (7 months) after I moved out that they evicted me to rent the apartment with a higher rent. I was checking the type of cases that I can open in RDC (Mediation, first instance, appeal, enforcement) and couldn't know which one to use, any advice? Also, is a screenshot from Bayut and the title deed enough as evidence? I verified the title deed on Dubai Land and the owner is still the same and just found out that the apartment was rented on Bayut with higher rent after I left.

Q: Dear Lawyers, I have received an eviction notice from my landlord to vacate the property for his personal use. Then, in August 2024, he communicated with me via WhatsApp and email that he wants to sell the property. I met with him to find a solution, and he said that if I raise the rent, he will let me stay and renew. However, the price he is asking for is not justified, and according to the RERA index, no rent increase should be applied. To resolve this issue, I offered a 10% increase, but he refused. Am I eligible for renewal at the same rate I am currently paying?

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.