Q: I was late to pay my rent by 24 hours last month since I had a delay in salary payment but had the integrity to pay the money just a few hours after the cheque was bounced. Today, I am getting a notice from the landlord to pay a fine of AED 500. I just wish to know if it's is legal according to the law.

Q: Dear Mr Naser, My cheque returned due to insufficient funds. I received a text from my bank regarding bounced cheque and deposited funds to cover the amount and tried to reach my landlord, offered her cash delivery in an hour or bank transfer not to cause any inconvenience due to any delayed payment. She refused it. Next day, I received an email from her that she has proof from my bank that it bounced back due to insufficient funds (which is true) and wants to meet me with her lawyer and asks for AED 5,000 penalty. There's a clause added on my contract; "IN CASE OF ANY CHEQUE BOUNCE FOR ANY REASON, THE PENALTY WILL BE AED 5,000 PER CHEQUE & TENANCY CONTRACT WILL BE TERMINATED & SECURITY DEPOSIT WILL BE NON-REFUNDABLE". Is the added clause legal? Isn't it too harsh? I tried to find it on RERA or RDC but wasn't able to find info. I tried hard to pay them on the same day but they didn't accept. Looks like they are trying to benefit from the situation and making another AED 5k. Can you help me?

Q: Assalamu Alaikum Dear Ma'am. I was charged in a cheque bounce case in October 2018, due to a failure of the rent payment through cheque. The cheque amount was AED 14000. I was summoned only once by the court and was given a fixed time to pay the dues and vacate the house. I have paid all the due rent (Approx AED 17000) last week. The real estate agency's lawyer is not closing my case, forcing to pay first case amount and some overstayed rent. Today he said: you have only one-day time to pay court charges and case fees, and overstayed rent, otherwise tomorrow Baladiya will come and throw you out. Is it possible? Please give me guidance as to when my case will be closed. What is the rule of Baladiya in this case? And is it connected to the renewal of tenancy? Can I renew my Tenancy contract or not? Please, Can you reply to me now? I am worried.

This Law promulgates the Federal Penal Code (Criminal Law) of the United Arab Emirates. Crimes and chastisement punishments shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other penal codes.

The provisions of this Decree by Law amend the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 by replacing Clause (4) of Article (379) as well as Articles (600), (617), (641), (642), (643), (644), and adding new articles numbered (635) Bis, (641) Bis (1), (641) Bis (2), (641) Bis (3), (641) Bis (4), (643) Bis (1), (643) Bis (2), (644) Bis (1) and (644) Bis (2). The Decree-Law also repeals Articles (401), (402) and (403) of the Federal Law No. (3) of 1987.