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: 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: Dear Sir/Madam, I agreed with my landlord to vacate his apartment because he wanted to sell the property. He provided me with one year's notice from a notary public. My current contract ends on June 4th, 2023. However, the one-year notice period expires at the end of November 2023. I have two questions: - Can he increase the rent from June 4th, 2023 to November 2023? - How can I request evidence from the landlord that he is selling the property?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I evicted my tenant to move in, but my plans have changed since I am leaving Dubai soon. Can I sell the property? Their eviction will end in October.

Q: I want to file a case against my previous landlord as I found out after a while (7 months) after I moved out that they evicted me to rent the apartment with a higher rent. I was checking the type of cases that I can open in RDC (Mediation, first instance, appeal, enforcement) and couldn't know which one to use, any advice? Also, is a screenshot from Bayut and the title deed enough as evidence? I verified the title deed on Dubai Land and the owner is still the same and just found out that the apartment was rented on Bayut with higher rent after I left.

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.