Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
4 available 4 • View allCan landlords in Dubai increase rent if RERA index has not changed?




3
Q: Hi,
I am an owner of an apartment in Dubai. It has been rented out for the past 2 years. The market rate of rent has now increased, however, the RERA index has not changed in the past 3 years.
I gave my tenant a 90-day notice notifying him of an increase in rent, however, he is not accepting and will only pay as per the RERA index.
The matter is now with the RDC, where he has filed a case against me. The RDC session is scheduled for next week. If I provide a DLD rent valuation certificate, will the RDC consider my request, or will they stick to the RERA index?
In case the tenant wins the verdict, will I have to pay any legal fees?
Regards,





+1
Jun 9, 2023
818
Can the landlord increase the rent using the DLD valuation instead of the RERA Rental Index?



4
Q: My landlord is trying to increase my rent outside of the RERA Index, using a DLD valuation as the basis.
The sequence of events:
1. 90 days before my renewal, the landlord offered me a new lease with a 10% increase on my current rental
2. I challenged this by sharing the RERA rental index result, which stated there is no increase in the rental value
3. landlord decided at this point to do a DLD rental valuation
4. Last Friday, 49 days before my current lease expires, the landlord shared the valuation, which showed an increase of 21% on the rent (or looking at it another way, my current rent is 17.5% less than this current valuation)
Can the landlord do that, and what is he legally allowed to increase my rent by in this scenario?




Feb 10, 2023
3093
Is it legal to raise the building's rent by over 35%?




3
Q: Hi,
I have a conflict with the management company of the building; they are cheaters trying to increase the rent from 22,000 AED to 30,000 AED.
Please, could you advise on how to deal with this scam company?
Regards,





Jan 17, 2024
122
Landlord wants rent increase citing furnishings and view. Is this a legitimate reason?



2
Q: Dear Sir/Madam,
My landlord suggested a 10% rent increase despite the Rent Index indicating no increase for my unit. His argument is that the unit is partially furnished and has a better view.
Is this a legally legitimate reason? What should be my counterargument?




Apr 5, 2024
104
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allWhat You Should Know While Renting a Property in the UAE 5
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.
Feb 24, 2020
3989
Procedures of the Rental Dispute Settlement Center in Dubai 21
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.
Oct 20, 2018
21420
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allDecree No. (43) of 2013 Determining Rent Increases for Real Property in the Emirate of Dubai 9
This Decree determines the maximum percentage of rent increase for real property in the Emirate of Dubai when renewing lease contracts.
Dec 18, 2013
13268
Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 12
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.
Nov 26, 2007
24346
Law No. (33) of 2008 Amending Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 8
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.
Dec 1, 2008
25060

Other answers by
What can I do if my tenant moved out without notice after serving him rent increase notice? 2
I own a property in Dubai and we issued a 90-day notice to the tenant to advise of the rent increase.
The tenant accepted and confirmed they would be renewing the tenancy agreement.
Before they signed the new tenancy agreement they moved out without giving any notice.
What are my rights in this scenario?
Aug 28, 2024
108
Will my fees be refunded if I close a cheque execution case that I opened against someone? 1
Dear Lawyers,
If I want to close a cheque execution case that I opened against someone, will my fees be refunded to me?
Aug 12, 2024
163
As a partner who loaned money to the company, should I sue the company or my partner? 1
Dear Lawyers,
I am a 50% partner in a company. I had given a 2M AED loan to the company about 10 years ago. There are expert reports and bank records to prove the loan.
The company does not have any bank balances or assets. Should I start a lawsuit against the company and demand 2M AED, or should I start a lawsuit against the other 50% partner and demand 1M AED?
One benefit of suing the company is that I can obtain an acknowledgment of debt, and later in an execution case, I can issue a certificate of solvency to have the other partner arrested.
However, suing the other 50% partner directly would include their name in the executive writ. Please guide me!
(I believe all necessary legal information is provided here. If something is missing, I can provide additional details here.)
Aug 14, 2024
132
How can I withdraw my case to release someone arrested for harassment? 1
Dear Sir/Madam,
I want to withdraw a case against someone who harassed me. She has now been arrested and held at the police station for 4 days.
How can I withdraw the case so she can be released?
Jun 29, 2024
345
What happens next after a DUI arrest and vehicle impound? 1
Dear Lawyers,
I was caught drinking and driving (no accident). They held me in prison for one day, then I signed some papers and they released me.
They also gave me a vehicle impound paper and asked me to come on Monday with my car registration and license.
Do you have any information on what will happen next?
Jul 23, 2024
172

Other answers by
Do I have to pay the value of training to the company in case of terminating the contract? 0
Salam,
My company has filed a complaint against me in MOHRE related to training fees.
This is the clause mentioned in my contract:
"The Second Party shall be obliged to pay back the value of the training (which is estimated at an amount of 10000 AED) when they terminate the employment contract based on their own free will (within One Year) from the date of commencement of their contract, without prejudice to the First Party's legal or contractual obligations. (the amount agreed on for the value of the training period must be commensurate with the employment period of the employee)"
My question is:
1. I served 11 months in the company. Can they demand the full 10,000 or it should be less due to 11 months (as per the last line of the clause)?
2. I didn't even get training from the company. I learned normally by working on projects with seniors. No training session was conducted for me. Should I still have to pay?
My case is in MOHRE.
Thanks
Nov 13, 2024
296
Can I apply for Amnesty 2024 with a bounced cheque and credit card debt? 5
Hi,
Amnesty 2024 has just started, and I really want to apply for it, but I have a company bounced cheque and personal credit card debt.
Is there any solution to avail of the amnesty and legalize my status? If yes, what is the step-by-step procedure?
Thank you to those who can enlighten me on this question, and God bless us all!
Sep 2, 2024
1001
How can I resolve a travel ban with an expired passport and a bounced check case? 1
Hello,
I have a civil case for a bounced check and a travel ban. My passport has expired and can only be renewed in my home country.
Due to the travel ban, it is not possible to exit and renew the passport. With an expired passport, I can't work.
What are the options in this situation? Can my wife take this case and start paying in installments so that I can go to renew his passport and come back?
Thank you!
Jun 28, 2024
185
I have an unpaid credit card in the UAE and I will be traveling to Qatar. Will I be arrested? 1
I have an unpaid credit card of approximately AED 45000 in the UAE.
I will be traveling to Qatar due to work.
Will I be arrested in Qatar?
Jun 21, 2024
164
I had a drug case against me and it has been closed. Can I get a new employment visa? 1
I have had a drug case against me recently and it has been closed. I have paid my fine and I am cleared from the travel ban.
I am still working with the same employer but I am thinking about changing jobs.
Will I be able to get a new employment visa and be hired in a new firm despite the record?
Mar 28, 2024
559

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Can I renew my trade license and visa if I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me? 0
Hello,
I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year.
My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID.
Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases?
The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority.
I look forward to your response.
Thanks.
Apr 30, 2025
11
Employer agreed to settle before MOHRE. What if they don’t pay the promised amount? 0
Hello,
I already have a dispute order with MOHRE. Then my employer became willing to settle the case.
What should I do in case they do not follow through with the promised amount to pay?
Apr 29, 2025
33
Is a bounced rent cheque case considered a criminal record for U.S. visa applications? 0
Hello,
My rent cheque was bounced, and my landlord filed a case against me in Sharjah Court. I received a fine of 2,000 AED, which was later reduced to 1,000 AED upon appeal.
Does this case count as a criminal conviction under UAE law, or was it handled as a civil matter?
If I apply for a U.S. visa, will I need to submit court records under the requirement for applicants with past convictions?
Apr 15, 2025
66
Can I stay home if my boss doesn’t pay my salary on time? 0
Hello,
Can I stay home if my boss doesn’t pay my salary on time?
Apr 10, 2025
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Do I need to inform my current employer 2 months in advance if I plan to leave? 0
Hello,
I am planning to change to another company and I am waiting for the offer. The visa from the current company is going to end in 2 months.
Should I inform them about my leaving? I haven’t received any offer yet, so I didn’t inform them, and they’re asking about the renewal every day.
Is it mandatory to inform them 2 months in advance?
Apr 24, 2025
34
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