Q: Good morning, My landlord notified me 90 days before my contract’s end of a 15% rent increase, raising it from AED 55,000 to AED 63,250. However, according to the RERA index, the maximum increase should be 5%. I tried to negotiate, but they refused. On October 15, I made an offer and deposit of AED 57,250 (including the RERA-approved increase). The judge accepted it, but the landlord rejected it, claiming their other 1-bedroom units rent for AED 75,000. My contract expired on October 31, 2024. Recently, the landlord emailed saying I’m now staying illegally and will be charged AED 100 per day for not signing a new contract. Last week, I requested a new contract based on the RERA index, but they responded by refusing my offer and deposit, demanding full payment. My question: Should I be concerned, or should I let them pursue a case? Or just wait and see? Thank you for your assistance.

Q: I hope you are well. I am currently renting a warehouse in the Al Qusais area, and the landlord has informed me that he intends to increase the rent based on the RERA Rental Index. He believes the current rent is too low compared to market rates. However, the proposed increase would exceed the 20% cap, which I understand is the usual limit for rent increases. According to the RERA Rental Index, rents in Al Qusais range from 43 to 58, and the current rent is below this range. Could you please clarify if the landlord is allowed to increase the rent beyond the 20% cap in this case, considering the RERA Rental Index? Is it possible for the rent to be increased as per the index, or is the 20% cap the absolute maximum allowed? I would appreciate your advice on this matter so that I can understand my rights and obligations. Thank you for your assistance. I look forward to your response. Best regards,

Q: Dear lawyers I submitted a file to the Dubai Land Department (RDC) through a trustee center regarding the rental increase by the landlord. I submitted the documents as per the trustee officer. Now I record the email that ‘the offer and deposit request has been rejected by the system as there has been no response from the respondent for 5 days. What do I do next? Is there any fault on my side? Kindly advise.

Q: What is the next step for me if my landlord (A big corporate firm earlier from a national bank) has rejected the offer & deposit notice even though the verdict of offer & deposit was approved for me? I have sent the verdict to the landlord and they are not engaging further. My lease ends on 24 January 2025.

Q: Hello, My landlord and I are having a problem with a rent increase. The landlord gave me a rent increase notice 90 days ago, which was higher than the rental index, and he demanded a 10% extra security deposit which I rejected. He also tried to force me to leave the house, but I have no proof of this. I went to the RDC office and filed a complaint, after which I received a letter from the RDC stating that my rent would remain the same. However, the landlord rejected the application and said I could only renew the lease with a 10% increase, a 10% security deposit, and four cheques, which I also rejected. Now, he has filed a case against me, and the hearing is in February. Kindly advise me!

Q: Dear Lawyers, I filed 2 Offer & Deposit applications: 1. Notice & Rent Increase: The landlord gave a 90-day notice to an unregistered email that is not listed in the tenancy agreement. My Jan 2025 filing, based on the Dec 2024 RERA Index, showed no rent increase, but the landlord now claims a 5% increase per the updated RERA Calculator this year. 2. Rental Payment: To deposit/transfer rent. Both were rejected due to the landlord’s nonresponse. However, the first installment was transferred via RDC & I provided the receipt. The landlord now demands the remaining payments, a renewed Ejari, & AED 420 admin fee (vs. the usual AED 265). They also threatened with eviction since Ejari expired last month. I’ve offered to provide PDC or deposit the amount. They have asked me to follow up with RDC to ensure the 1st payment is transferred to their account. Since I completed the Offer & Deposit process, I prefer they initiate a preliminary case. Could you please advise on the best course of action at this stage?

Q: Hello, I submitted an offer and deposit through the trustee office, but the owner rejected it. What is the next step? They sent an email notification stating that if not renewed within the contract's end time, 500 AED will be deducted for each additional day of stay.

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.

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. 

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.