Q: Hi, I am a landlord and getting 105k as rent. The renewal is coming and the RERA index shows no increase but I got RVC which says the rental value is AED 150k. How much can I ask for an increase from the tenant?

Q: Hi, My broker has been trying to increase my rent beyond what is allowed by RERA for three years. They make it difficult for me to file a complaint, but eventually, they always send an offer that is in line with RERA's calculator. They know that we will eventually renew the contract at the RERA-approved rate, but they still keep doing this every year. They waste my time and energy with long, pointless negotiations. What can I do to stop this? The owner is not an Emirati. Thanks for the answers!

Q: Hi, I have been provided with a 90-day notice regarding my renewal but the amount was not mentioned (told over the phone that it will be 1000 more than the previous year). However, when I tried to renew my contract, they told me that the rent has been increased by 4200 more than the previous year. I have read somewhere that if I am not given a notice wherein the rental increase amount is not mentioned in a written document, I will be able to renew with the same contract as the previous year. How should I file for that?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to seek your advice regarding a potential rent increase for my tenancy located in Free Zone Dubai. On February 5, my landlord informed me via WhatsApp about a possible rent increase. However, this notification came before the 90-day window. I responded by providing the landlord with the RERA Index information dated Feb-05-2024, which indicated no change in rental rates for similar properties at that time. On March 13, 2024, the RERA Index was apparently updated, reflecting an increase in rental rates. My landlord then sent another WhatsApp message on the same date, citing this update as a justification for raising the rent. As per RERA regulations, any notification regarding a rent increase should be delivered within the designated 90-day window before the lease renewal date. Since the landlord's latest message falls outside this timeframe, with only 53 days remaining before the potential renewal, I am unsure whether I am obligated to accept the proposed rent increase.

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!

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.