Q: Hello Advocate Nikhat, How are you, Madam? My house is in Abu Dhabi and I had rent bounced cheques due to my job loss. Q.1 As we know that for a rent cheque bounce, after the police case is closed and the civil case is opened, then in this civil case, the judge will decide on the amount for instalments. Won't he consider what we say about how much we can pay? Q.2 Ref to the above question, it means there is no jail directly if we agree with the judge on the amount to be paid in instalments. Now, I understand that once the instalments are finalized, then we have to pay them regularly. The question is, in the civil case, there is no direct Jail in the first or second hearing, as the judge negotiates the amount for payment, correct? Q.3 During eviction case, when rent/lease is expired. Since the lease is now connected with Tawtheeq, so if Tawtheeq expires as the rent agreement expires, Will ADDC cut my electricity during this time? Q.4 Please, also advise what is Legal Advice Middle East, is it a law firm?

Q: I'm facing a rental problem because I couldn't pay rent for nearly 2 years due to a lack of income and a bad credit score, which prevents me from getting any loans or credit. My family includes two school-aged kids (small daughters, 4 and 7 Years). I know I might face legal consequences, and I want to know what I can do to avoid going to jail. I'm committed to sorting out the rent issue, even if it means repaying it when I find a stable income. Please guide me on what steps I can take in this situation. Thank you

Q: Hi, I have lived in my current apartment for 14 years. This year in Jan 2020, I called the office to ask for my new rent details from 1st Jan 2020 to 31 Dec. They told me that I was having a court case as I didn't pay last year's rent. I handed over 4 cheques in 2019, but I didn't wait for a receipt and never went to collect my tenancy agreement as I haven't done for almost 2 years. They always handle things and I trust them. It turns out no rent cheques were cashed for 2019, no one in the office can find the cheques, no tenancy was signed and no one contacted me in a year. I assumed that the cheques were going to be deducted from my account. What can I do? Thanks!

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 Decree by Law amend the Federal Law No. (18) of 1993 by replacing Clause (4) of Article (379) as well as Articles (600), (617), (641), (642), (643), (644), and adding new articles numbered (635) Bis, (641) Bis (1), (641) Bis (2), (641) Bis (3), (641) Bis (4), (643) Bis (1), (643) Bis (2), (644) Bis (1) and (644) Bis (2). The Decree-Law also repeals Articles (401), (402) and (403) of the Federal Law No. (3) of 1987.