Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allCancellation of a tenancy contract before its due date




4
Q: Dears,
I have a tenancy contract for 6 years in Dubai. The agreement gives an option to renew every year but it does not talk about early cancellation or any penalty payments.
I have finished 5 years and I want to cancel now. In this case, should I pay any penalty payment imposed by the landlord or RERA if I cancel 1 year earlier?
Kindly advise!





Mar 31, 2020
1890
How to claim back rental cheques and security deposit after early exit from tenancy?
2
Q: Salam,
I have terminated my tenancy contract early on.
On the 4th month, I notified the landlord through his agent that I got released from duty and need to terminate the contract. I gave 2 months' notice (via email). I received verbal confirmation that I can vacate.
I received Clearance Certificate and handed the place over on time and in good condition. The only thing, I didn't pull out the balance cheques from the landlord.
1. The landlord didn't return the security deposit.
2. To my surprise, the landlord cashed the 3rd cheque.
3. The landlord still has the 4th cheque.
Being new in the UAE, what am I supposed to do?
How can I collect my money and stop the 4th cheque from being cashed out?

Mar 22, 2022
1056
Rights of the tenant in case of early exit from rent
1
Q: Hi,
I've rented an apartment in Dubai from 01.02.21 - 31.01.22. I've paid in advance as well as a deposit of 5%. Then, due to a job-related change, we agreed I can move out early on 07.10.21.
I've handed over the apartment, but now the landlord doesn't want to refund me the rent for the remaining 4 months or deposit paid (total value of AED 45,000).
I've chased him since move-out. Then he reached out asking me to pay service charges that the developer has charged him (for this he sent me to account details to HIS own account with the developer - in his account are outstanding charges that go back to 2019).
I told him I'll pay the services charges pro-rata if he pays me what he owes me. As I didn't hear back, I sent a legal notice.
Now he sent me an email detailing 20 items of fees he expects me to pay (many are made up such as 5 lost keys with a cost of 500 each, and huge renovation charges, etc.).
Please get back to me via email.
Thanks,
A. K.

Nov 1, 2021
317
Legal blog
1 available 1 • 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
21372
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
24302
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
7299
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
24978

Premium
Other answers by
3191 3191 answers •
View allWhat countersuit can be filed against an employer for a false absconding case? 0
Hello,
What countersuit can I file against an employer who filed a false absconding case against an employee?
Apr 15, 2025
34
Is a bounced rent cheque case considered a criminal record for U.S. visa applications? 0
Hello,
My rent cheque was bounced, and my landlord filed a case against me in Sharjah Court. I received a fine of 2,000 AED, which was later reduced to 1,000 AED upon appeal.
Does this case count as a criminal conviction under UAE law, or was it handled as a civil matter?
If I apply for a U.S. visa, will I need to submit court records under the requirement for applicants with past convictions?
Apr 15, 2025
30
What are the penalties for not returning from vacation after several months or a year? 0
Hello,
Good afternoon!
Can somebody tell me what happens if someone went on vacation and didn’t come back in one month?
What penalties will they face if they want to come back after 1 year or after some months and not to the same company?
Apr 15, 2025
28
What to do if the bank filed case on me using security cheques and executed travel ban? 0
The bank filed a case against me using security cheques and executed a travel ban from Dubai Courts.
Apr 15, 2025
13
Will changing the ownership of the company affect my end-of-service benefits accrued for 6 years? 0
My company changed the boss, but the company name is still the same.
Is there any way I can't get all my benefits for 6 years?
Apr 8, 2025
61

Premium
Other answers by
1294 1294 answers •
View allIs a bounced rent cheque case considered a criminal record for U.S. visa applications? 0
Hello,
My rent cheque was bounced, and my landlord filed a case against me in Sharjah Court. I received a fine of 2,000 AED, which was later reduced to 1,000 AED upon appeal.
Does this case count as a criminal conviction under UAE law, or was it handled as a civil matter?
If I apply for a U.S. visa, will I need to submit court records under the requirement for applicants with past convictions?
Apr 15, 2025
30
How can I renew my Ejari if the landlord hasn’t signed the new contract? 0
Hi,
I have been here for 3 years now and paid the increased amount (as per the agreement) for the 4th year.
However, the landlord did not send me back the signed contract, although I have both made the payment for the full year via bank transfer and sent my signed contract to him.
I need to renew my Ejari; however, how can I do it without the landlord's signature?
I have all the previous contracts signed by both parties, along with the Ejari for those contracts.
Apr 14, 2025
23
How can I file a counter-complaint for a false public cursing accusation? 0
Hello,
How can I file a counter-complaint against a person who made a false report about me for public cursing, which I never did?
He made the complaint about three months after we last met. I now have a case because of it, but I never said any bad words to him.
I was stopped at the airport because of that.
Apr 7, 2025
63
I got a work permit and entry from a Dubai employer for work. What documents do I need to carry? 0
I got a work permit and entry from a Dubai employer for work.
During the travel to Dubai, do I need to show any accommodation proof, return ticket, or anything?
What documents do I need to carry?
Apr 14, 2025
27
I would like to know how to clear my police record due to a legal case that was closed a year ago 0
I would like to know how to clear my police record due to a legal case that was closed 1 year ago.
I need to clear it in order to be able to get a job position.
Apr 14, 2025
22

Premium
Other answers by
19 19 answers •
View allWill I be called again by the CID after closing the case in court if they arrest another suspect in the crime? 0
The case went from CID to police and from police station to public prosecution and finally from public prosecution to the court.
Is it possible that CID will call again for the same case if they detain another accused of the same crime after one month or they will add me also in the other case along with him?
Jan 10, 2025
81
How long does Dubai Prosecution take to investigate a narcotics case? 0
Dear Lawyers,
I am sharing a scenario where I would like to understand the investigation period and time. There was a narcotics case under investigation in Sharjah for 4.5 months, after which the Sharjah Public Prosecution transferred the case to Dubai Prosecution.
It has been 1 month since the case was transferred to Dubai Public Prosecution. Do you have any idea or estimate of the time they need in Dubai for the investigation?
Is there a way to meet a prosecutor directly and speak to them?
Aug 6, 2024
576
Is an employee entitled to an air ticket as part of their annual leave salary? 0
Hi, Sir
According to UAE labor law, is the employee entitled to an air ticket with an annual leave salary?
Sep 5, 2024
2442
Is an eviction notice still valid without an Ejari if it's based solely on a tenancy contract? 0
Dear Lawyers,
I rented a property to an individual. During the last contract renewal, I sent a notarized eviction notice along with the contract. The contract is due to expire in 2 months, as will the notice period.
The tenant did not request an Ejari, and we did not create one. My question is, would the court eviction document still hold without an Ejari, based solely on the tenancy contract?
Sep 11, 2024
198
How long does it take for the court to release funds deposited in the court's treasury? 0
Dear Lawyers,
How long does it take for the Dubai court to release funds deposited in the court's treasury?
Sep 5, 2024
489

Premium
Other answers by
718 718 answers •
View allIs it legal to reduce the salary after signing an employment contract? 0
Hello,
Is it legal to reduce the salary after signing an employment contract?
Mar 19, 2025
87
Can the owner of a company escape if there is a cheque execution and travel ban on him? 0
I raised a cheque execution case against a company and its owner and won. There is a travel ban on him. I was receiving installments for three months and now he stopped paying.
The court after request summoned him. In total, he paid only 30% of the owed money. I found that his company license is expired and also in the month his visa will expire.
Does he have any option to avoid payment?
Please note he was deceived by showing no money in his bank account and no assets in his name but he is running multiple businesses.
Also a month ago, he tried to convince me to lift the travel ban but I refused to do so. But he submitted a guarantee and left UAE.
Now the status shows he is back in the UAE and the travel ban imposed again. But after that, he stopped payment.
Is there a 1% chance of him not paying me the remaining money?
Is there a way he can leave the country through the Amnesty program or any of this sort?
Mar 12, 2025
100
In EMARATAX, must two licenses for the same activity in different emirates register separately? 0
Hello,
In EMARATAX (The Federal Tax Authority), if someone has two licenses in different emirates for the same activity, does he need to register two taxable persons, or how should he proceed?
Mar 2, 2025
72
Can a developer demand extra payment for a 30% size increase after handover? 0
Hello,
I purchased a one-bedroom off-plan unit in Dubai from a well-known developer under an SPA specifying an area of 801 sq. ft. I completed all payments as per the developer’s payment plan, and the unit was handed over to me without a Title Deed.
After taking possession, furnishing the unit, signing a tenancy contract, and making repeated follow-ups to obtain my Title Deed, the developer informed me, 45 days after handover, that the actual area was 1,041.41 sq. ft., a 30% increase from the original SPA terms.
To receive my Title Deed, they are now demanding payment for the increased size.
Key issues:
- Failure to notify me before handover about the 30% increase in area.
- The SPA allows for price adjustments for area variations but specifies that such adjustments must be reflected in the final installment, which I had already fully paid before handover.
- The developer has now filed a legal case through Dubai Courts, demanding payment.
I require legal advice based on RERA/DLD laws and the SPA.
Mar 12, 2025
65
How to recover unpaid fees from a client who refuses to pay for online consulting services? 0
Hello,
A client of mine used our consulting services online and is refusing to pay. Despite multiple reminders, she still has not made the payment. What legal action can I take against her?
Mar 7, 2025
86
Get quotes from lawyers
Find the right lawyer for your legal needs.
Submit your request and get multiple
competitive offers from
qualified lawyers.
Popular Q&A
View all Looking for something else?
Ask for advice from a lawyer