Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
4 available 4 • View allCanceling a property rental contract before the designated move-in date

2
Q: Is it possible to cancel a property rental contract before the designated move-in date that has been signed already?
What are the rights of the landlord on my cheques that have been given to him already?
Will I have to pay any fees even though I have not received the keys to the place yet, and I am also unable to move due to the COVID-19 lockdown?


Apr 9, 2020
4390
Early termination of a tenancy contract and refund of the paid rent
3
Q: I live in Dubai and I want to terminate my tenancy contract after 3 months.
I lived here for last 3 years in the same flat. As per the tenancy contract, in case of termination of the contract by the tenant, the tenant has to pay minimum 2 months rent as a penalty.
The agent has asked me to pay this penalty but he is not refunding me the full balance amount of rent. He is calculating the balance refund rent on 10% less than the actual rent in tenancy contract.
Is this legal as there is no such clause in the contract nor agent has informed me earlier during signing the contract.
Please advise what to do.

Sep 13, 2017
3067
Consequences of terminating a lease contract after releasing first payment
1
Q: Hi,
I signed a lease contract for a villa in Dubai with start date Nov 1st. Paid 5% deposit to the landlord and a 5% fee to the real estate agent.
Now, as we start discussing details about the move, we are not happy with how the landlord is discussing some small terms.
They are not major issues that would allow us to legally terminate the contract but small things that do not give us the confidence that our life would be easy with them in the future.
Therefore, we would like to cancel such lease contract with start date Nov 1st.
Question is what would be the consequences of such termination? Considering that the contract has not yet started, could we just cancel it now without any penalty and getting our deposit back?

Oct 6, 2020
342
Can I get the rent cheques back if I decided to cancel the tenancy shortly after signing the agreement?




0
Q: The landlord has entered and signed a 1-year tenancy agreement with a tenant on 10.10 with a move-in date 4 weeks later, and on 07.11. collected 4 cheques (3 + 1 security deposit).
1 day before moving in the tenant decided to abruptly cancel and demanded for the cheques not to be deposited. Ejari has not yet been registered as it was planned to be done after the key handover.
Is the landlord entitled to deposit the cheques (security cheque + 1 cheque) and demand 2 months' rent as a penalty?
The tenancy contract has no explicit early termination clause. What are the rights of the landlord in this case to protect and address the financial inconvenience?
Thank you.





+2
Nov 6, 2024
196
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allMy Tenant Stopped Paying Rent & Became Unresponsive, What Should I Do? 6
An interview-format article covering the topic of defaulting on commercial lease in the UAE and related procedures. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW. In this article, Ludmila discusses what one should do if the tenant becomes unresponsive.
Feb 11, 2020
14924
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
21418
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allFederal Law No. (5) of 1985 On the Civil Transactions Law of the United Arab Emirates 96
The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.
Dec 15, 1985
148514
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
24341
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
25049

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How can we claim our money back if the cheque we received have bounced for insufficient funds? 0
We received a cheque which has now bounced. We have tried for over a month and a half now to get a new cheque from the person, and every day he says the next day.
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Who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer? 0
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After 11 months of work, how many leave days is an employee entitled to? 0
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What can I do if I got a judgment in absentia for selling medicine without a license? 0
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I got detained at the airport, and the CID asked me some questions. I mentioned they didn’t transfer me a single Dihram, so he let me go, as the case was already open for appeal.
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How can we claim our money back if the cheque we received have bounced for insufficient funds? 0
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Who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer? 0
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Is it possible for a foreigner to get a divorce in Dubai? 0
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After 11 months of work, how many leave days is an employee entitled to? 0
Hello,
I want to inquire regarding my leave privileges. I am now 11 months in my company. How many leaves am I privileged to?
Based on Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 regulating labour relations and its executive regulations, you are entitled to a paid weekly rest for not less than one day, as specified in the work contract or the work regulation.
The Council of Ministers may increase the weekly rest day stipulated in this article. The Decree-Law and its executive regulations also stipulate that you are entitled to an annual leave with full pay as follows:
- Thirty days for each year of your extended service.
- Two days per month in respect of any employee with more than six months and less than one year of service.
- Leave for parts of the last year of your service in case it is terminated before you use your annual leave balance.
Now my question is: do I have 22 days I can use? Can someone explain to me in detail?
Thank you!
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Can I sell branded replica watches online, not in a physical store? 0
Hello,
Can I sell branded replica watches online, on Facebook Marketplace, etc.?
Not in a physical store, just online.
Apr 27, 2025
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How can we claim our money back if the cheque we received have bounced for insufficient funds? 0
We received a cheque which has now bounced. We have tried for over a month and a half now to get a new cheque from the person, and every day he says the next day.
We need the money now. We have been to the police station, and they said they can not do anything as the reason the cheque bounced is "Insufficient funds."
We have been to Al Barsha - Dubai Courts, and they said there is nothing they can do about it.
We are not sure what we can do. We need the money asap to pay our kids' school fees, let alone all the interest we have lost.
Apr 28, 2025
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After 11 months of work, how many leave days is an employee entitled to? 0
Hello,
I want to inquire regarding my leave privileges. I am now 11 months in my company. How many leaves am I privileged to?
Based on Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 regulating labour relations and its executive regulations, you are entitled to a paid weekly rest for not less than one day, as specified in the work contract or the work regulation.
The Council of Ministers may increase the weekly rest day stipulated in this article. The Decree-Law and its executive regulations also stipulate that you are entitled to an annual leave with full pay as follows:
- Thirty days for each year of your extended service.
- Two days per month in respect of any employee with more than six months and less than one year of service.
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Now my question is: do I have 22 days I can use? Can someone explain to me in detail?
Thank you!
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What can I do if I got a judgment in absentia for selling medicine without a license? 0
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I got detained at the airport, and the CID asked me some questions. I mentioned they didn’t transfer me a single Dihram, so he let me go, as the case was already open for appeal.
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Can I keep my daughter's physical Emirates ID if the custodian already has the digital copy? 0
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What legal action can a company take to recover an amount from a non-paying customer? 0
Hello,
We are a building materials trading company based in the UAE. We supplied materials worth AED 50,000 to a customer around 8 months ago, but despite repeated follow-ups and reminders, no payment has been made to date.
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2. What documents should we have ready (e.g., delivery notes, invoice, emails)?
3. How long does the legal process typically take in the UAE for such cases?
4. Is there a recommended timeline or deadline after which legal steps should be initiated?
Thank you in advance for your advice!
Apr 25, 2025
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What can I do if I got a judgment in absentia for selling medicine without a license? 0
I got an order of 6 months imprisonment and deportation for a judgment in absentia by the Sharjah court for selling medicine without a license. I was not involved in the case directly; my friend used my car, and he had my bank card.
They made a confession that they were working for me and made a false claim that they had transferred money to me. As I am outside the country, I came to the UAE to solve my case.
I got detained at the airport, and the CID asked me some questions. I mentioned they didn’t transfer me a single Dihram, so he let me go, as the case was already open for appeal.
In the first instance court, they gave me the same verdict, then I appealed and attached documents like bank statements and my company details, which were not mentioned before.
They gave a date for the judgment, but it was not issued, and they gave the next date. I have been suffering a lot for the last 3 months here in the UAE and for 6 months back home.
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Will the case be open for retrial, and will the CID be convinced by my logic?
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Can I keep my daughter's physical Emirates ID if the custodian already has the digital copy? 0
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What legal action can a company take to recover an amount from a non-paying customer? 0
Hello,
We are a building materials trading company based in the UAE. We supplied materials worth AED 50,000 to a customer around 8 months ago, but despite repeated follow-ups and reminders, no payment has been made to date.
We would appreciate guidance on the following:
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2. What documents should we have ready (e.g., delivery notes, invoice, emails)?
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4. Is there a recommended timeline or deadline after which legal steps should be initiated?
Thank you in advance for your advice!
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Is it possible to change jobs and process visa while facing a police case and a travel ban? 0
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