Q: I am a landlord. I gave my apartment to a guy who did not pay any rent and used my apartment for subleasing. I got so angry that I canceled the Ejari online on DLD and it got canceled easily. Now I sent an eviction notice to the tenant as the tenant is absconding and granted a broker his POA. So I am planning to file a case in RDC. Will it be accepted or rejected as I canceled the Ejari?

Q: Dear Consultant, Good morning! I have a rented property in Dubai. In March 2024, when I went to visit my flat, I found a subtenant inside. He informed me that he rented from "my tenant" and is paying on a monthly basis. This occurred without my consent, and his cheques return unpaid. I have heard from my friend about many options to vacate my unit and sue the original tenant. I would appreciate your advice on the subject matter as a consultant. Many thanks!

Q: Dear Sir, I bought a tenanted unit, and the tenancy contract was signed by one person. Shortly after, I found out that more people are living in the unit, and the tenancy contract doesn't allow subletting. I contacted the phone number in the contract via WhatsApp, chatted with a woman, and highlighted the problem. She referred to the men living in my unit as "tenants." At the end of our conversation, I learned that she is not my tenant. The tenant in my tenancy contract is a man, and I've received his Emirates ID from the previous owner. He doesn't live in the unit, and the phone number and email address in the contract, given as his, are not his own. Is this legal? Is the contract still valid? I would like to give my tenant an eviction notice because of subletting. I've found online that I have to give him a 30-day notice. Is that correct? Is there any rental penalty for the breach of the contract? Can I get compensation for my legal costs? Thanks!

Q: Hi What is the process of RDC inspection for subleasing? As if done by letting the tenant know about the inspection he will play with it. Also if an RDC person goes and the door is locked or the sublessee says something else, what can he do? This is for the eviction of a non-paying tenant.

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 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.

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.

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.

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. 

The provisions of this law On Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions (Law of Evidence) govern evidence in civil and commercial disputes in the UAE.