Q: I rent an apartment in Dubai Marina and its time for tenancy renewal, but I can’t reach my landlord for three months already. What can I do in this situation?

Q: Dear All, I have the following question. I am the landlord of an apartment in Dubai. It was rented out by me to a touristic company which now owes me 6 months rent payment. In the contract which we have signed we have the following clause: "In case of any cheque returned unpaid without any valid reason from the tenant, and the tenant fails to settle the cheque value within 20 working days, then the tenant shall be entitled to a delayed penalty equal to 2% of the cheque value added to the due amount and if it is not settled after 7 working days from the date of penalty applied on the due cheque, then the owner has the right to terminate the contract and take immediate possession of the apartment." So, does it mean that I can write an email to him and say that I am terminating the contract and taking possession of the apartment? Or do I still need to send some eviction notice?

Q: Greetings, I have a tenant who has not paid his rent for over 1 year. He promises to pay but nothing happens and his checks bounce every time. I have also received warnings from building management that he is subletting the apartment without my knowledge or approval. He has promised to move out, but he hasn't done that either. What can I do the fastest to get him out of the premises? I live in Sweden so I have a property manager but he has also stopped answering my messages and phone calls since 2 months ago. Thank you in advance!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Rental Dispute - The management agency in my current apartment building has issued a verbal notice via a telephone call to all residents (in January 2024), asking to vacate the premises by 25 February 2024 citing that they're planning a major renovation to the entire building. My contract had expired in June 2023. Despite multiple follow-ups (over email, I had told them I wanted to renew starting March 2023), they never responded to emails and delayed the renewal. I had come to know that there was an ongoing inheritance battle between the owner's family which may have been the cause of delay. Please advise on the below: 1. As I have not paid any rent since June 2023 as they never accepted the cheques, can they issue an eviction notice based on non-payment of rent? 2. Would I have any legal recourse to fight this notice? 3. What is the overall timeline/expense for such rental dispute cases to be resolved? 4. Are there any other legal actions that they can take against me?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, After my tenancy expired, the landlord did not accept cheques and did not issue Ejari. This is a shared apartment, and the owner of the entire building is a private landlord. Can they evict me from the apartment?

Q: Hi, If the landlord is not satisfied with the new terms of the contract and doesn't sign it, rejects the RDC security deposit cheques, what's next?

Q: Good day, I have one pending rent payment. Since I lost my job, I haven't been able to pay my last rent, which will be 15 days overdue on November 15. Does my landlord have the right to evict us immediately without proper notice and to say they will file a case that I will have to pay for? Please advise!

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.

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.

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