Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I am a landlord and gave notice (through a Notary Public) to the tenant to vacate the villa for personal use or to sell it one year ago. The tenant vacated the villa after one year as per the notice. I failed to sell the villa after trying to sell it through multiple agents for the past two months. I re-offered my previous tenant the villa for rent for one more year as I failed to sell it, through email (7 days ago). However, I have not received any response to this email. Please advise whether I can proceed with renting the villa to another tenant as I am incurring losses by paying EMI, maintenance, etc. Please also advise if the previous tenant can still ask for compensation. Thank you in advance!

Q: Dear Questioner, Abusing tenant trust for fake eviction! We are based in Dubai and have had a good three-year relationship with our landlord, who is in Abu Dhabi. The building had a lot of maintenance issues, and I always kept him informed about the increasing problems. Six months before the contract expiry date, the landlord visited us and said: "I have decided to return to Dubai with my family. Thanks to our relationship since 2020 and the problems you're facing in the building, I assume this is okay for you. I don't want to send a legal notice. Can you please send me an email for eviction?" As we knew the family and trusted them, we accepted their request. However, after moving out, I saw that he was renting the house for a higher rent! Is it worth initiating a legal case, as he lied to us? By chance, in my email to him, I mentioned that "we are leaving as you told us that you're moving into your house," and he responded positively. The emails were through the registered mail addresses. Thanks in advance for your guidance!

Q: Dear Lawyers, I have received an eviction notice from my landlord to vacate the property for his personal use. Then, in August 2024, he communicated with me via WhatsApp and email that he wants to sell the property. I met with him to find a solution, and he said that if I raise the rent, he will let me stay and renew. However, the price he is asking for is not justified, and according to the RERA index, no rent increase should be applied. To resolve this issue, I offered a 10% increase, but he refused. Am I eligible for renewal at the same rate I am currently paying?

Q: Dear Lawyers, I served an eviction notice to the tenant at his own request for repossession of my property. Unfortunately, due to my medical condition, I had to rent my property to a new tenant. My former tenant is claiming compensation, which I am ready to settle, but I feel his claim is unfair. He is claiming the difference between the old rental amount he was paying and the new rental amount contracted by me with the new tenant for my property, in addition to the moving expenses. I believe it is only fair to pay the difference between the old rental amount and the new rental amount the former tenant is paying for the new property he has leased with his new landlord, plus the expenses he incurred for moving into his new property. Please advise which of the above amounts I need to settle!

Q: Hello, Our landlord has provided us with a renewed contract. We issued cheques and signed the contract, but now he suddenly refuses to sign because he wants to sell. What can we do?

Q: Good afternoon, Ramadan Kareem! The owner of the property I’m renting has sent me an eviction notice so he can sell the property. According to the notice, I am required to leave. My questions are: 1. If the owner rents the property again, how can I obtain the new Ejari as proof that the property has been rented? 2. Do I have the right to ask for compensation? On what basis is compensation determined? 3. I currently have a signed tenancy contract with the owner. Do I need an Ejari to raise a case? Thank you! Wish you a great day ahead.

Q: Hello, I have a case in Sharjah for a rental dispute. How do I find the case number?

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 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.

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.

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. 

This Decree determines the maximum percentage of rent increase for real property in the Emirate of Dubai when renewing lease contracts.