Q: I'm a foreigner landlord and my tenant is paying rent. His cheque has bounced and he's not in Dubai, but his friend is living in the apartment.

Q: Dear sir/madam, Our tenant in Dubai has sublet our studio apartment to bachelors (four females staying in the studio unit). We have also confirmed this with inspection with the government and they have confirmed it is indeed four females living there and they provided us with a report. How long does it take to evict and break the contract early? In addition, can the tenant seek compensation from the landlord?

Q: We appointed a service agent to manage holiday home services for our apartment in Dubai. The agent completed all legal formalities with Dubai Economy and Tourism and commenced operations. However, the agent defaulted on the AED 50,000 payment of the app., and their offices are now closed. We got the mobile numbers of the agent’s officials. We believe we can also make the following compensation claims: 1. for our opportunity cost. 2. for the mental distress we endured. 3. For administrative costs incurred while chasing the agent, preparing claims, filing a complaint to DET, and related activities. We complained to DET, but it was closed as DET found the agent's office was shut. DET advised us to pursue any suitable legal action. Accordingly, we have the questions on the following matters: 1. What are the appropriate steps to recover our legal entitlements? 2. What is the procedure for claiming the legal and associated costs from the defendant?

Q: Dear Lawyers, Are hotels (or hotel apartments) in the UAE (or specifically in Dubai) allowed to keep the EIDs of visitors who visit people in the hotel, even if the hotel tenant signed a contract stating that visitors must leave their IDs with security?

Q: Dear Lawyers, Can the building management company file a police report stating that sub-leasing is an illegal entrepreneurial activity conducted without a license? Are there any grounds for this? Even though sub-leasing does not require a license for a hostel.

Q: Dear Lawyers, My non-paying tenant, whom I have served notice to, is openly subletting my flat without any fear of the law. I received a call from the subtenant that my tenant has temporarily disconnected his DEWA and is threatening him to move out, while the subtenant is willing to pay me cash and wants to stay there. My questions are: - Is it possible to benefit from the sublet rent while the eviction case is being filed? - Should I get an RDC inspection done first to prove subletting by my tenant, and then accept money from the subtenant without any agreement for the period until my case is resolved? The people involved are a complete mafia who know the laws very well and will not pay a dime despite a travel ban, etc. - How can I ask the current subtenant to stay so that these individuals don’t sublet it again, especially with the high season approaching? - Also, can a criminal complaint be filed?

Q: Dear all, I have bought an apartment. The previous owner had tendered a notarized legal notice to the tenant before selling. Upon purchase, an addendum to the tenancy contract was drafted with the following wording: "No renewal of the tenancy contract is applicable, and the new landlord will be moving in on X date (the date of expiration of the tenancy contract)." Q1: The tenant subleased the apartment without consent, and the landlord submitted a notarized legal notice. How long does the RDC take to make a decision after filing a lawsuit? Q2: If the duration of the above action extends beyond the contract renewal date, will the wording stating "no contract renewal" be enforced?

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.

With the introduction of the new procedures for obtaining a power of attorney (POA) remotely in the UAE, after it was mandatory to appear in person in front of the notary public as a global rule to ensure the identity and intention of the person requesting a POA, we put between your hands this brief guide for how you get it done.

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.