Q: Hello, I am a landlord in Dubai and I wish to send a 12-month legal eviction notice to my tenant for my intention to sell my property after the 12-month eviction notice. My question is: If after putting my property on the market for sale I don't manage to sell it and I decide to rent it out again, can my tenant take any legal action against me or ask for any compensation? Will they be entitled to that?

Q: We were served a legal notice to evict our property as the landlord wanted to use the property for his personal use. This ended in 8 September. We shared an email 3 weeks before our eviction, stating that we did not want to move out and if we could stay, and we are only moving out to follow the law. The neighbors told us that agents have been hosting visits to the property. Today, the landlord has emailed me and said his circumstances have now changed and he has offered us the property back. I believe this is a tactic and he will be renting the property out soon. His reasons are due to circumstances that started for him in May, so our email 3 weeks before the eviction was more than enough time for him to raise this to us. In this case, should we decline to move back in (we have already moved and incurred huge costs and lifestyle changes to fit the new location), and the property is then rented out within 2 years, would we still be able to claim compensation?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I have just found proof that my former landlord in Dubai rented out my old apartment at a much higher price to a new tenant the month after I moved out. I also have proof that he was “intending to sell” the apartment in a message. I signed a contract stating that I would move out at the end of the lease, which I did, based on his advice that he is selling the apartment. I received an official legal notice with “sale” as the reason for eviction four months after I signed the contract. I left on the date as per the contract in good faith that he would be selling the apartment. Please let me know if I have a case and can file for compensation.

Q: Hello, My landlord vacated the property with 12 months' notice, stating he would live there himself. However, he started renting the property through the holiday homes system. Is a permit issued by the DTC for a holiday home valid proof to prove that he is renting and to claim compensation?

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 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 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.