Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I sent my tenant in Dubai a rent increase notice before the 90-day period required by RERA. The RERA rent calculator does not allow any rent increase in this case, but I requested a Rental Valuation Certificate from the Dubai Land Department, which showed a rent increase. According to the law, which one will the Rent and Dispute Center follow?

Q: I have rented an apartment in Dubai (business bay). My rent is up for renewal in May. A few weeks ago the landlord asked if I wanted to renew and I said yes. Checking the RERA calculator, he is permitted to increase my rent by 10%. I agreed to that. He is asking for more and I declined his offer and mentioned that I would only pay the 10% increase. He then said he is not willing to bargain and simply will not renew my contract. I told him I did not accept that. He then made reference to a clause in the contract that says “A ninety days' notice in writing should be given by the landlord to the tenant if the landlord wishes to review the rent in accordance with the applicable RERA law at the relevant time for renewal OR if the landlord wishes to terminate the contract”. He is relying on the second part of this statement for his argument. Can he decide not to renew my contract? Please note he has not submitted any valuation certificate. Thank you!

Q: I am a landlord and trying to increase the villa rent in accordance with the DLD rent evaluation certificate basis. 90 days before the current lease expires, I sent the tenant a registered mail and email along with a rental evaluation certificate asking to increase the rent as per DLD valuation. The evaluation certificate showed an increase of 40% in the current rent. My tenant refused the rent increase according to the DLD evaluation certificate and he told me by phone about 30 days before the end of the rent contract that he will deposit the rent with RERA without any increase in the rent. What are my options?

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.

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.