Questions & Answers
The apartment has been sold to a new owner. Is the tenancy agreement still valid?
Hello,
This is related to a tenancy contract.
I'm staying in an apartment on rent and the lease is about to expire. I had agreed with the owner that I would move out at the end of the lease period.
Recently, the apartment was sold and the new owner is saying that my rental agreement with the old owner is null & void (as the owner has changed now), and I'll have to get into a new agreement with him on exactly the same terms; there'll be no economic impact on me.
Am I legally required to get into a new tenancy contract with the new owner for the remaining term?
Do I need to get into that complication?
Hello,
The law states that only the new owner has the right to evict the tenant, but with the following process: the old owner needs to send you a legal notice for eviction, and then the new owner needs to give another notice with the same dates as the old one to emphasize the same.
Conclusion: If you have not received any legal notice from both of them, then do not evict. In general, do not evict unless there is a court judgment.
For more information, please contact our office manager on his mobile number (................).
Dear Questioner,
According to UAE law, a tenancy contract is binding on both the landlord and the tenant until the end of the agreed-upon lease period.
This means that even if the ownership of the property changes, the terms of the original tenancy contract must be honored by the new owner.
However, if the new owner wishes to terminate the tenancy contract, they must give the tenant a written notice at least 90 days before the end of the lease period.
If the tenant does not receive a notice, the tenancy contract will automatically renew for the same period and under the same terms.
In your case, it is important to review your tenancy contract and see if there is a clause that allows for the transfer of the contract to a new owner.
If there is no such clause, then the new owner cannot force you to sign a new contract. You have the right to continue living in the property until the end of the lease period.
If the new owner insists on signing a new contract, you can negotiate the terms and conditions, including the rent amount.
Dear Questioner,
In response to your question, the change in ownership of the property does not automatically invalidate your existing lease agreement.
Typically, when a property is sold, the new owner assumes the rights and responsibilities of the previous owner, including existing lease agreements.
However, it's essential to review the terms of your current lease agreement to understand any provisions related to change of ownership or assignment clauses.
These clauses may outline the process by which a new owner can assume the landlord's role and obligations under the existing lease.
In many cases, tenants are not legally required to enter into a new tenancy contract with the new owner if there are no significant changes to the terms of the lease.
Therefore, it's crucial to communicate with the new owner and clarify your rights and obligations under the existing lease agreement.
I recommend reviewing your lease agreement thoroughly and seeking legal advice to ensure that your rights are protected during this transition.
If you require further assistance or would like to discuss your situation in more detail, please feel free to contact me via WhatsApp or phone.
My dear,
You do not have to write a new lease with the new owner for the remainder of the contract.
Only the current contract will continue until it expires.
If anything else is required, don’t hesitate to contact us via email or call our offices in Dubai or Sharjah.
Jasim Al Haddad Law Firm
Legal Counsel and Consultations
Dear Questioner,
Normally, the new landlord is getting into the position of the old landlord. So the same tenancy contract will be applicable for the new landlord as well.
He can not insist on signing a new contract. There are no such legal requirements.
If you are not willing to sign a new contract, then the landlord should accept it.
