Q: Hello Madam, I hope you're doing fine. I am unable to get a security deposit of AED 2000 from the landlord. The current real estate agent claims that the landlord has some legal dispute with the former real estate company and I can't get my refund. Can you kindly guide me on the above?

Q: How can I force the landlord to give me back my security deposit? My lease ended two weeks ago and I still have AED 10,000 deposit that the landlord did not give back yet. He doesn’t respond to calls/texts. He sent quotations to me today asking me to cover for fixes that were there before I moved in. How can I deal with him in the fastest possible way?

Q: A landlord agent, after failing to live up to the terms of my monthly rentals agreement, including not making repairs, said I could vacate the property before the end of the lease if I want and he will return the deposit. After I moved out, he turn around stiff me with my deposit claiming that I broke the lease for moving out before lease expiration. What is my legal recourse?

Q: Hello Ma’am/Sir Have a good day! What will I do if someone is blackmailing me because my cheques are with him for last year? I gave them to him because he said he would transfer the flat under my name. I gave him money also then after 3 months, he told me the flat could not be renewed. I can’t take the money that I gave to him, and that’s why I’m not paying his bills now. He is harassing me to pay his bills or else he will use my cheques. Please help me with what I will do. I will travel in March 2025 but I don’t know if they will allow me to go to my country. I hope anyone can help me with this. Thanks

Q: Hello There was a rental dispute for a house that had an ownership transfer and there was a difference of opinion between the landlord and the tenant on the move-out date. The landlord is suing the tenant for the entire period until case resolution, however, the tenant claims to have evicted and did handover with the previous owner, however, he overstayed by a week as per DEWA. The RERA has now appointed an accounting expert who will check the following details: 1. Verify tenant occupancy or vacating date. 2. Review management records for occupancy details. 3. Check the previous owner's records on the vacating agreement. 4. The broker who confirmed move-out has PoA. 5. Verify ownership transfer notification to tenant. 6. Check DEWA for service disconnection details. 7. Assess rent due from 09/20/2024 – 10/11/2024 and payment status to new landlord. I would like to know what the CA would do, who does it favor, and what kind of proofs are needed to be provided. What if the CA cannot verify the house vacancy?

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.

An interview-format article covering the topic of defaulting on commercial lease in the UAE and related procedures. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW. In this article, Ludmila discusses what one should do if the tenant becomes unresponsive.

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 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.