Dear All, We have a question related to private rental law in Dubai. We have been living in the same house (rented) for the last four years. During those years, we have had to battle our landlord for maintenance at large. Our contract states that ALL maintenance is on his account (no deductible). We have a lot of small maintenance issues, such as kitchen cabinets that are coming loose, a sewage smell in the house, and a toilet upstairs that still doesn't work after four years (despite attempted maintenance). How can we deal with him and get him to honor the contract and resolve all of our issues so we can use the house properly? What legal steps can we take? We have informed him plenty of times over the four years about the problems, but he seems to "ghost" us and does not reply very often. We have issued him a warning to get things fixed by the end of this month (via WhatsApp), but he doesn't seem to mind. Hope you can help with advice and maybe RERA down the line.

Hello, I have found out that a friend divulged sensitive and private medical information to others without my consent. Is this against the law?

Hello, If the tenant is evicted due to renovation, once the renovation is done, can the landlord rent the property to a new tenant, or does the landlord have to wait for 2 years?

Hello, I have a complaint registered against me. The crime description is "breach of trust by embezzlement." Can I travel outside the UAE? I don't have any travel ban against me.

Hello, I had evicted the tenant by giving 1-year notice with the reason being for personal use. After 1 year, the tenant vacated the apartment. I gifted this property to my son, who is 18 years old. Can my son rent out this property?

Sir, I was in jail for 2 months in a drugs case, and then my company filed an absconding case against me. Now they are not removing the absconding case and are not ready to give me the settlement money. What do I have to do?

Hello, We have an agreement with a company to supply food for their buffet on a daily basis, with invoices to be issued monthly and payment to be made every three months. The relationship actually lasted for nine months, and payment was made for two periods. In the third period, due to disagreements between our company and the company to which the supply was made, they refused to pay, noting that the outstanding amount so far is fifty-four thousand dirhams. Can we claim the amount, noting that the agreement is not written, but there are emails exchanged between us and invoices?

Hello, How much time does Dubai Court usually take to seize the amount from the bank to release my travel ban?

I’ve lived in my building for over 4 years, with the most recent rent being AED 50,000. Each year, the management collects cheques and extra AED 2,400–2,500 cash (no receipt) for management and Ejari fees. My contract was due for renewal on 15 Feb 2025, but management delayed, demanding a 10% rent increase even though no formal 90-day notice and the RERA index did not allow it. After a month of excuses, the manager called on 12 March, insisted increase to 55K, and threatened eviction if I refused. When I referenced RDC, he hung up. The next day, he again made unprofessional remarks, so I decided to go with RDC. I submitted my offer and deposit on 13th March, but the management didn’t respond. The case went to the judge on 14 April he ruled in my favor. On 30 April, I applied for the execution of the ruling, and RDC says I can renew Ejari only on 8th May at DLD with cheques given to them. However, on 1st May 2025, I received a notarized eviction notice for non-payment of rent and communication. My question is, what will happen at DLD now?

Hello, I'm from the Philippines, working here for 15 years. I have a big problem, and they have repeatedly given me a case of a cheque worth AED 73,000 for almost 9 years. Recently, they filed a case again after knowing that my case was done last October. This cheque is a guarantee cheque only for my 5-year monthly car installments. I paid for almost 2 years and have 3 years left to be paid, but I gave the person who guaranteed my car a cheque worth AED 73,000 at that time. I don't have enough requirements to get the 5-year monthly installment car, so I asked someone to help me, but my biggest mistake is that I don't have any agreement for this cheque because I totally trust him as my family. After delaying payment for 2 months because I went on vacation and came back, he asked me to visit their shop. When I went, they just called me and told me to get his things.

Can the employer report absconding if an employee goes to their home country on leave but does not come back to UAE?

Dear Lawyers, I rented a studio on a monthly basis, and my rent included all utilities and bills, with a contract that isn’t Ejari. Now, the landlord has cut off the DEWA and is asking me to vacate the unit and take the rest of my rent three months before the contract expires. Is there any legal action I can take against him?

Dear Lawyers, Dubai Tenancy Question Addendum: 1. In case of not renewing the contract, the tenant shall inform the landlord 3 months prior. If the tenant fails to do so, they shall bear a penalty of 2 months' rent for not notifying the landlord. 2. Failure to execute the renewal (at the sole discretion of the landlord) shall result in the automatic termination of this agreement. 3. The landlord unequivocally objects to the tenant's continued occupation of the premises after the expiry of this agreement. An overstay fee shall apply from the day following the expiry of the term. The tenant’s continued occupation shall not result in the automatic renewal of this agreement. Questions: A. Does this addendum supersede the laws of the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA)? B. Does the contract automatically renew, or is it considered terminated as per the conditions of the addendum? C. How much should be paid to the landlord if the tenant vacates a week after the expiry of the contract?

Dear Lawyers, Can a husband renew only his 6-year-old child's visa and refuse to renew his wife's visa? What happens in that case?

Dear Lawyers, During the sale of the property, to whom is the security deposit returned? The tenant or the new owner?

What is the responsibility of the employee? The employment contract is set to conclude on 31st May 2025. The employee initiated discussions regarding a salary increment approximately 30 days prior, during which the management engaged in meetings with the employee but ultimately decided to maintain the current salary. The employee subsequently chose not to renew or continue the employment, this decision having been finalized in a meeting held on 20th May 2025. How does the notice period apply in this context? Specifically: 1) Would the grace period (30 days after the contract/visa ends) be considered as fulfilling the notice period requirement? 2) Is the employee entitled to request a different salary during this grace or notice period?

I work for a Meydan Freezone employer under a limited contract. The employer has terminated my contract without notice after 1 year and is not offering to pay 3 months' compensation severance, nor a notice period, nor a correct settlement. They are asking me to sign a contract to waive it. I contacted MOHRE, who stated you need a NOC or referral letter from Meydan, but Meydan stated they do not issue one, and private matters and disputes are between you and the employer.

Hello, Sir, how many days will it take for an Indian to be deported from the UAE?

Hello, What can I do if I was absent from the hearing because of improper information and they gave judgment in my absence?

Hello, Seizure of MOHRE Labour Card by Dubai Execution Court I am an execution requester. My execution debtor has not paid me for the last 12 years after starting the execution file. Can I request the execution court to write a letter to MOHRE, obliging them to seize the labour card of the debtor? If yes, from when was this procedure permitted?