Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allCan the tenant file a case for security deposit in case of damaging property?
3
Q: Hi Team,
I rented my property to a gentleman and the lease expired on 14th November 20. The tenant refuses to agree on the maintenance issues like broken tiles, door hinges and improper painting done by him.
He asked me to sign that all are clear and refused to give the key. Finally, after 5 days he handed the keys over but did not agree on maintenance. Now he filed a case to claim his deposit.
What is my right? What is my liability on the same?
A. M. S.

Jan 4, 2021
3698
The new landlord asks for repairing damages which are not caused by the tenant

1
Q: I am having an issue with my landlord regarding my security deposit. I was renting a flat in Dubai and the owner sold the flat to a new landlord. I stayed in the flat and entered into a new contract with the new landlord.
Before the new landlord purchased the flat, there was a burst in the pipe of the building. It was not caused by me but by the building that caused damages to the flooring of the flat.
When the new owner came to buy the flat, all the damages were already existing and he saw them. He simply bought the flat and I entered into a new contract with him. I left the apartment on August 1 and simply handed the keys to the security. He was not present.
Two weeks later (August 15), he calls me requesting me to fix the damages in the apartment.
Can you please help with some insight into my position?
Thank you!


Aug 23, 2021
804
Responsibility for defects discovered after handover of the premises
1
Q: Dear Sir or Madam,
Good Afternoon.
Two months ago, we have moved from an apartment, settled all the bills, and collected our security deposit back from the agency. However, the agency is sending us an email saying that the cooker is not working at all at the moment, and that was caused by us.
During our stay, we did have an issue with the cooker, smoked started coming out, and at that time we informed the building management as they had to shutdown the power. The oven was fixed afterwards by the building management and was working properly. We didn't pay for anything.
Please advise, can agency press charges against us, or do we need to pay for the new cooker, as that is what they are asking from us now?
Appreciate your assistance with the matter,
Thank you,
Andrea

Mar 15, 2017
1322
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allProcedures 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
21378
What 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
3943
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allLaw 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
24306
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
24987
Decree No. (26) of 2013 Concerning the Rent Disputes Settlement Centre in the Emirate of Dubai 0
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.
Sep 18, 2013
7300

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Other answers by
204 204 answers •
View allIn an RDC enforcement case, what is the best way to pay, on the RDC app or directly to the landlord? 0
Hi
In an RDC enforcement case, what is the best way to pay?
1. On the RDC app or directly to the landlord?
2. I will pay today 1/3 of the outstanding, can I apply for a payment plan and how shall I do this?
Please advise.
Also, what will it cost me to get assistance in this process?
Thank you
Mar 17, 2025
95
How can I check if I have a complaint or am wanted by Dubai Police without visiting a station? 0
Hello,
How can I know if I have any complaints or am wanted by Dubai Police without visiting a police station?
Mar 17, 2025
115
Can I amend my claim amount after filing a labor case? 0
Hello,
What is the process for filing a labor case? Is there a fee to file?
If, after filing, the claim amount changes because I haven't been paid additional dues, how is that amended?
Mar 13, 2025
62
What are the working hour regulations for nursing mothers in the UAE during Ramadan? 0
Hello lawyers,
Could you please clarify the regulations regarding working hours for nursing/breastfeeding mothers in the UAE during Ramadan?
How many hours are they entitled to?
Mar 20, 2025
83
Is the employee responsible for the expenses of changing his visa status from tourist to employment? 0
My friend is currently in the UAE on a visit visa and has received a job offer from a company.
However, the employer is asking him to pay for the visa status change from a visit/tourist visa to an employment visa since he is inside the country.
According to UAE labor law, who is responsible for covering these charges—the employee or the employer?
Mar 19, 2025
53

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672 672 answers •
View allTerminated for performance issues without prior warning while on vacation. What should I do? 0
Hello Sir,
I am facing an issue with my employer. I work in the private sector in the UAE, and my employment visa expires in June 2025.
After two years, I traveled to my home country for vacation, and one week after my arrival, the company sent me an email terminating my employment due to performance issues.
However, I was never given any prior warning or written notice. The termination email also did not mention any notice period or other details.
I would like to know my rights and what I should do in this situation.
Mar 25, 2025
68
A firm took payment but didn’t ship cargo or refund. Can we file a case? 0
Hello,
The matter is whether we can file a case against an Ajman-based firm for non-shipment of cargo against the payment made to them.
They haven’t delivered the cargo nor returned the amount.
Apr 17, 2025
19
My tenant was supposed to vacate as per the contract. Can I rent the property to another tenant? 0
Good morning.
My tenant was supposed to vacate the property on 15th April 2025 as per the contract.
Now he is not answering the phone, and the property is still in use.
Please guide the way forward. I have already rented the property to a new tenant.
Apr 16, 2025
19
If an employee is terminated due to poor performance, is he eligible for compensation? 0
Hi,
For the private sector, if an employee got terminated due to warning letters for poor performance issued to him, is he eligible for a 1-month compensation salary?
Apr 15, 2025
36
How can I cancel my current visa immediately without serving notice? 0
Hello,
I got an offer letter from another company. I want the immediate cancellation paper before 20th April.
I don't have time to submit my notice period registration. What should I do?
Please give me the best advice!
Apr 4, 2025
89

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22 22 answers •
View allHow can I resolve a travel ban with an expired passport and a bounced check case? 0
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
163
Does the prenuptial agreement need attestation before filing the marriage application? 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
My partner and I are non-Muslim expatriates who want to apply for a civil marriage in Dubai.
I'm looking for a lawyer to draft a prenuptial agreement to submit along with the marriage application in Dubai.
Should the agreement be attested and legalized before it can be filed with the marriage application?
May 17, 2024
181
Developer asks for full year's service charges despite purchase at year-end. Can I refuse? 0
Hello,
I bought a property from a developer in Q4 2023 and got the keys handed over in November 2023.
They have returned to me to pay additional service charges for the entire year although I purchased the flat from the previous owner in the last quarter of the year.
I sent them multiple emails to explain the reason behind it and to ask them to send any legal statement showing that the new owners are responsible for paying additional fees, though this is unfair from my perspective as I have been the owner of the property starting from Nov 2023.
Some friends told me that they received a letter from their lawyers which they sent to the developer questioning this procedure and refusing to pay this.
Since I don't have such a statement to send to them as well, is there any opportunity for somebody to help me in writing one, hopefully getting the chance not to pay the additional fees?
Thanks!
May 10, 2024
501
المستأجر في السجن. كيف تجدد زوجته عقد الإيجار؟ 0
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته،
يوجد مستأجر سُجن بسبب قضية وحاليًا تسكن الشقة زوجته وابنه وهي تدفع الأجرة بدون أي تأخير. انتهى العقد.
هل يمكن تجديد عقد الإيجار تحت اسم الزوج وزوجته توقع مكانه؟ أم يجب ترك العقد بدون توقيع؟ أم يجب إبرام عقد إيجاري جديد باسم الزوجة وفي هذه الحالة يمكن تغيير الشروط والأحكام والقيمة الإيجارية؟
أرجو منكم الإجابة!
May 15, 2024
197
If someone has a case of consensual sex in 2018, can he return to Dubai? 0
Dear Sir/Madam,
If someone has a case of consensual sex in Dubai (2018), can he return to Dubai?
Is he still punishable?
May 8, 2024
251

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3199 3199 answers •
View allWhat can I do in case of odometer tampering, false ownership information, and a flood-damaged vehicle? 0
What can I do in case of odometer tampering, false ownership information, and a flood-damaged vehicle?
What is the procedure for filing a fraud complaint about these issues?
Mar 21, 2025
68
Is the compensation for notice period deducted on the basis of full salary or basic salary? 0
Hello,
I understand that if anyone wishes to resign without serving their full notice period, they are supposed to compensate the employer for the remaining time that they didn't serve the notice, also known as "notice Compensation".
Is this notice compensation deducted based on the full salary or on the basic salary?
Mar 21, 2025
72
Can a registered company work with a freelancer who does not have a freelancer permit? 0
Hello,
Can a registered company work with a freelancer who does not have a freelancer permit?
At the same time, they are employed by another company.
Mar 21, 2025
59
Can I hold the delivery of goods to a buyer outside the UAE if he defaulted on payment? 0
I, as a UAE-based Seller, entered a sales agreement with a KSA-based Buyer. The Buyer defaulted on the LC payment, breaching the contract.
The goods are stuck at the port as they need original documents, which I am holding to recover the outstanding balance.
They later made a partial payment but now threaten to cash the PBG (UAE bank) I provided if don't release the document.
The contract mandates DIAC arbitration but lacks a governing law clause. I need advice on:
1. Which law applies to this dispute?
2. Where can I seek an injunction to prevent PBG encashment, given the Buyer’s bad faith and breach? Or should I send a letter to their bank with the brief above?
Kindly advise.
Mar 21, 2025
49
Does unpaid leave include weekends if they fall within the leave period? 0
Hello,
If I take unpaid leave and a weekend falls in between, will the weekend also be counted as unpaid leave, meaning I will not receive a salary for those weekend days?
Thank you!
Mar 23, 2025
84

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830 830 answers •
View allMy tenant was supposed to vacate as per the contract. Can I rent the property to another tenant? 0
Good morning.
My tenant was supposed to vacate the property on 15th April 2025 as per the contract.
Now he is not answering the phone, and the property is still in use.
Please guide the way forward. I have already rented the property to a new tenant.
Apr 16, 2025
19
Do smart police stations in Dubai override official filing hours for legal deadlines? 0
Dear Lawyers,
The case needs to be filed during official working hours, on a subsequent working day (if the last day falls on an official holiday), in Dubai.
With Smart Police Stations operating 24/7, how are these situations considered?
Should the case be filed during working hours, say before 3 PM, etc.?
Apr 16, 2025
19
How can we recover a salary advance to a new employee if he fails to come to duty and uses alcohol? 0
As the HR manager of a company, I have issued a salary advance to the employee. Upon joining, he failed to go to duty and used alcohol daily in the camp.
I have a signed thumb-impression cash receipt. What options do I have to recover the AED 7000 advance paid to the employee?
Please help.
Regards,
B.
Apr 16, 2025
31
Am I allowed to wear a burka during the divorce hearing at the family court? 0
Hello,
Am I allowed to wear a burka during the divorce hearing at the family court?
Apr 16, 2025
45
Can I use my husband's case number to get information about his exit date? 0
Hello,
I have my husband's case number. Can I get information about his exit date using the case number?
Fujairah Jail.
Apr 16, 2025
20
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