Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
4 available 4 • View allIs WhatsApp an eligible medium for sending a notice to a tenant?
2
Q: I have notified my tenant of the rent increase 90 days in advance of the expiry date of the tenancy contract via a WhatsApp message.
I understand that WhatsApp is an eligible medium for the said notice, as per the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, 2002 No. 25 of 2002.
Please confirm whether my understanding is correct or not!

Aug 30, 2021
1410
Validity of electronic communications as binding agreements
3
Q: Dear Lawyers,
Could you please advise if commitments or agreements via electronic communications (emails) can be considered as a binding agreement as per the UAE law?
Thanks,
Mohamed.

Oct 7, 2018
1488
What are the conditions for changing the terms of tenancy contract?
1
Q: Dear Legal Advice Lawyers,
Currently, I rent an apartment in downtown Dubai. In a month I am going to renew my contract for the next year with the same landlord.
I was just informed that the landlord would like to change some conditions/clauses in the new contract.
Can the landlord change/introduce new conditions in the new contract if he did not give me a 3-month notice period or the same terms of my current contract should remain effective for the new contract?
Thank you very much.
V.

Oct 6, 2021
331
Does construction and lower rent in my building justify refusing a rent increase?



1
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
The landlord is increasing the rent by 15% this year, 17% last year, and also 17% the year before.
I refused and told her it’s not fair; a 5% increase is reasonable due to the 1-year non-functional swimming pool and the construction area around it.
It has been ongoing since last year without completion (the entire area and swimming pool have been broken since last year) due to a court case between the management and the developer.
The index shows a 15% increase in the same area, but the rent in my building is much less than that.
Does the ongoing construction work, which has not been finished for a year now and may never be finished as long as the court case is open, matter? And do the prices of similar units in my building count?
Thank you in advance for your reply!




Apr 30, 2024
92
Legal blog
4 available 4 • View allWhat You Should Know While Renting a Property in the UAE 5
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.
Feb 24, 2020
3983
Procedures of the Rental Dispute Settlement Center in Dubai 21
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.
Oct 20, 2018
21419
Contracts 101: Official Agreements to WhatsApp Messages 2
An interview-format article covering the topic of contracts in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.
Mar 3, 2021
1153
The Rise of Digital Contracts in the UAE: What Businesses Need to Know 3
We're seeing a significant change in the way we do business. The development of artificial intelligence (AI) is speeding up the transition to a more automated and digital future. This change is especially noticeable in transactions and contracts. Businesses of all sizes should consider e-contracts and digital transactions, as they can improve efficiency, streamline processes, and eventually open up new growth opportunities.
Feb 24, 2025
159
Laws & Regulations
5 available 5 • View allLaw No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 12
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.
Nov 26, 2007
24341
Law No. (33) of 2008 Amending Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 8
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.
Dec 1, 2008
25050
Decree No. (43) of 2013 Determining Rent Increases for Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai 9
This Decree determines the maximum percentage of rent increase for real property in the Emirate of Dubai when renewing lease contracts.
Dec 18, 2013
13266
Federal Law No. (5) of 1985 On the Civil Transactions Law of the United Arab Emirates 96
The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.
Dec 15, 1985
148518
Federal Law No. (10) of 1992 On Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions 14
The provisions of this law On Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions (Law of Evidence) govern evidence in civil and commercial disputes in the UAE.
Jan 15, 1992
19120

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What is the legal process of acquiring 50% ownership stake in a local company in Dubai? 0
A local company in Dubai intends to acquire a 50% ownership stake in an auto repair business currently owned by an individual (100%).
We are seeking professional legal advisory services to guide us through the acquisition process.
Apr 11, 2025
95
What is the statute of limitations for filing a civil lawsuit in the UAE? 1
Hello,
What is the statute of limitations for filing a civil lawsuit in the UAE?
Jan 21, 2025
222
What can I do if my company terminated me without warning while I'm on probation? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
My company terminated me with no written warning last April 5, and they said I need to work up until April 30 to receive my pay, but until now, they're holding it.
Can someone help me with what I can do, please? And is it right to terminate me with no warning?
I'm under probation with the company; I've been working with them for four months.
May 14, 2024
239
How to implement the divorce judgment and claim alimony and custody? 1
First instance divorce judgment has been provided based on Article 7 of Federal Law 41 of 2022 and based on Article 133 of the Civil Procedures Code - the defendant was requested to pay expenses and fees.
Later, I received a notification to apply for implementation of the ruling and execution proceedings!
What action is required from the plaintiff?
Under Article 133 of the civil procedure code, can compensation for damage be claimed? And what type of evidence must be submitted?
Within how many days must the implementation of the ruling and execution proceedings be raised by the plaintiff to the court?
What are the rights, roles, and responsibilities of husband and wife regarding child custody and child support based on the above judgment?
Mar 15, 2024
156
Can a bank recover unpaid credit card dues after 6 years in the UAE? 5
Hello,
I would like to know if the bank can claim recovery after 6 years of not paying credit card dues in the UAE.
Mar 15, 2024
1213

Other answers by
Do I have to pay the value of training to the company in case of terminating the contract? 0
Salam,
My company has filed a complaint against me in MOHRE related to training fees.
This is the clause mentioned in my contract:
"The Second Party shall be obliged to pay back the value of the training (which is estimated at an amount of 10000 AED) when they terminate the employment contract based on their own free will (within One Year) from the date of commencement of their contract, without prejudice to the First Party's legal or contractual obligations. (the amount agreed on for the value of the training period must be commensurate with the employment period of the employee)"
My question is:
1. I served 11 months in the company. Can they demand the full 10,000 or it should be less due to 11 months (as per the last line of the clause)?
2. I didn't even get training from the company. I learned normally by working on projects with seniors. No training session was conducted for me. Should I still have to pay?
My case is in MOHRE.
Thanks
Nov 13, 2024
284
Can I apply for Amnesty 2024 with a bounced cheque and credit card debt? 5
Hi,
Amnesty 2024 has just started, and I really want to apply for it, but I have a company bounced cheque and personal credit card debt.
Is there any solution to avail of the amnesty and legalize my status? If yes, what is the step-by-step procedure?
Thank you to those who can enlighten me on this question, and God bless us all!
Sep 2, 2024
996
How can I resolve a travel ban with an expired passport and a bounced check case? 1
Hello,
I have a civil case for a bounced check and a travel ban. My passport has expired and can only be renewed in my home country.
Due to the travel ban, it is not possible to exit and renew the passport. With an expired passport, I can't work.
What are the options in this situation? Can my wife take this case and start paying in installments so that I can go to renew his passport and come back?
Thank you!
Jun 28, 2024
183
I have an unpaid credit card in the UAE and I will be traveling to Qatar. Will I be arrested? 1
I have an unpaid credit card of approximately AED 45000 in the UAE.
I will be traveling to Qatar due to work.
Will I be arrested in Qatar?
Jun 21, 2024
162
I had a drug case against me and it has been closed. Can I get a new employment visa? 1
I have had a drug case against me recently and it has been closed. I have paid my fine and I am cleared from the travel ban.
I am still working with the same employer but I am thinking about changing jobs.
Will I be able to get a new employment visa and be hired in a new firm despite the record?
Mar 28, 2024
558

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My tenant was supposed to vacate as per the contract. Can I rent the property to another tenant? 0
Good morning.
My tenant was supposed to vacate the property on 15th April 2025 as per the contract.
Now he is not answering the phone, and the property is still in use.
Please guide the way forward. I have already rented the property to a new tenant.
Apr 16, 2025
42
How can we recover a salary advance to a new employee if he fails to come to duty and uses alcohol? 0
As the HR manager of a company, I have issued a salary advance to the employee. Upon joining, he failed to go to duty and used alcohol daily in the camp.
I have a signed thumb-impression cash receipt. What options do I have to recover the AED 7000 advance paid to the employee?
Please help.
Regards,
B.
Apr 16, 2025
50
Can my sister file a claim for compensation after a criminal case for sexual harassment? 0
Hello,
My sister filed a criminal case against her employer (sexual harassment), and it is already with the Public Prosecutor.
Her employer refuses to compensate her at all. Can we file a civil claim? When should we do it?
Can we still file a civil claim after the judgment of the case?
Apr 25, 2025
43
هل تقسم الأملاك بعد الطلاق بين الزوجين وفق القانون الإماراتي؟ 0
هل تقسم الأملاك بعد الطلاق بين الزوجين وفق القانون الإماراتي؟
Apr 25, 2025
20
Can I use my husband's case number to get information about his exit date? 0
Hello,
I have my husband's case number. Can I get information about his exit date using the case number?
Fujairah Jail.
Apr 16, 2025
39

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Despite a waiver, the case is still with the public prosecution. Can I travel? 0
Hello,
I had a case regarding fraud by technical means, and we did a tanazul.
It was attested and submitted to the court, but the case still hasn’t been dropped and is now with the public prosecution.
What do I do now, as I need to travel urgently?
Apr 28, 2025
4
How can we claim our money back if the cheque we received have bounced for insufficient funds? 0
We received a cheque which has now bounced. We have tried for over a month and a half now to get a new cheque from the person, and every day he says the next day.
We need the money now. We have been to the police station, and they said they can not do anything as the reason the cheque bounced is "Insufficient funds."
We have been to Al Barsha - Dubai Courts, and they said there is nothing they can do about it.
We are not sure what we can do. We need the money asap to pay our kids' school fees, let alone all the interest we have lost.
Apr 28, 2025
32
Who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer? 0
Hello
I joined my new company on February 26, 2025. Upon joining the new company, I asked HR if it was free to join the company, and she said yes.
After working with them for 1 month, I experienced a salary delay, and I had to go to the office to ask why there was a delay in my salary.
That is when the HR told me she deducted my whole salary to recover the transfer fee.
Now my question is, who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer?
Apr 28, 2025
17
Is it possible for a foreigner to get a divorce in Dubai? 0
Is it possible for a foreigner to get a divorce here in Dubai?
Apr 28, 2025
13
Can my old employer sue me for a non-compete clause that's only in the offer letter? 0
Hi,
I was previously working in a company based in DMCC and have now moved to Hamriyah Free Zone. In my DMCC contract, there was no mention of a non-compete, but my offer letter includes one.
Now, in my new organization, if my old customers start to contact me for business, am I liable for any legal action from my previous employer?
Apr 28, 2025
10

Other answers by
What can I do if my tenant moved out without notice after serving him rent increase notice? 2
I own a property in Dubai and we issued a 90-day notice to the tenant to advise of the rent increase.
The tenant accepted and confirmed they would be renewing the tenancy agreement.
Before they signed the new tenancy agreement they moved out without giving any notice.
What are my rights in this scenario?
Aug 28, 2024
105
Will my fees be refunded if I close a cheque execution case that I opened against someone? 1
Dear Lawyers,
If I want to close a cheque execution case that I opened against someone, will my fees be refunded to me?
Aug 12, 2024
162
As a partner who loaned money to the company, should I sue the company or my partner? 1
Dear Lawyers,
I am a 50% partner in a company. I had given a 2M AED loan to the company about 10 years ago. There are expert reports and bank records to prove the loan.
The company does not have any bank balances or assets. Should I start a lawsuit against the company and demand 2M AED, or should I start a lawsuit against the other 50% partner and demand 1M AED?
One benefit of suing the company is that I can obtain an acknowledgment of debt, and later in an execution case, I can issue a certificate of solvency to have the other partner arrested.
However, suing the other 50% partner directly would include their name in the executive writ. Please guide me!
(I believe all necessary legal information is provided here. If something is missing, I can provide additional details here.)
Aug 14, 2024
130
How can I withdraw my case to release someone arrested for harassment? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
I want to withdraw a case against someone who harassed me. She has now been arrested and held at the police station for 4 days.
How can I withdraw the case so she can be released?
Jun 29, 2024
341
What happens next after a DUI arrest and vehicle impound? 1
Dear Lawyers,
I was caught drinking and driving (no accident). They held me in prison for one day, then I signed some papers and they released me.
They also gave me a vehicle impound paper and asked me to come on Monday with my car registration and license.
Do you have any information on what will happen next?
Jul 23, 2024
170
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