With 15 days left to renew, the agent added new clauses. Is this compliant with tenancy rules?

Hi,

Good morning!

According to tenancy law in UAE, it's generally recommended to provide tenants with at least 30 days' notice before any changes to the tenancy agreement.

This gives them sufficient time to review the changes and make any necessary adjustments.

Maideid Al Mansoory Advocates and Legal Consultants

For further assistance, kindly share your contact details.

Good Morning,

Any changes to the tenancy contract must be agreed upon before the 90-day notice period.

For more information or help, please leave a contact number or contact me at [-------].

First, we must review the terms of the new contract so that we can give you appropriate legal advice.

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Dear Questioner,

Notice of a rent increase must be given at least 90 days in advance. We can advise you on the next steps.

Please contact us for detailed discussion and assistance.

Dear Questioner,

As per Dubai Rental Law, any change to the tenancy contract must be notified to the other party 90 days prior to the contract's expiry.

Otherwise, the contract will automatically renew under the same terms and conditions for another period. No changes can be proposed in that situation.

You can now send them a formal email stating that no changes will be applicable. If they refuse to renew the contract, you will need to approach the RDC for approval.

We will discuss further. Kindly share your WhatsApp number to proceed with us.

Hello,

Generally, tenants are required to be notified of any proposed rent increases at least 90 days before the contract expiration.

Since you informed the agent three months ago of your intention to renew and they did not mention any increase, they are in breach of this requirement

Any new clauses added to the contract should have been discussed and agreed upon by both parties before signing.

If these were not part of the original agreement, you have grounds to dispute them. You can file a complaint with the Dubai Rental Disputes Center.

For further assistance, kindly share your WhatsApp number.

Dear Questioner,

The landlord has no right to demand a change in any clause of the contract, including a rent increase unless he sends you a legal notice 90 days before the end of the contract.

If he does not do so, he has no right to change any clause of the contract. This is the procedure followed by the Rental Dispute Resolution Center.

To obtain free legal advice that includes all the details, kindly contact us via phone or email.

Hello,

In accordance with Dubai’s Law No. 33 of 2008 regulating tenancy matters, a landlord or agent must provide at least 90 days' notice if they intend to make changes to the tenancy contract, including any rent increases.

Since your landlord failed to notify you of the rent increase within this timeframe, you are not obliged to accept either the rent increase or the new contract terms.

You have the right to demand that the contract be renewed under the previous terms, with no rent increase or additional clauses.

If the landlord or agent refuses, you may file a complaint with the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC). You can deposit the rent cheques there and request a judicial order to renew the contract on the same terms as before.

If you need further legal support, feel free to contact me for a detailed consultation.

If the property is in Dubai, then according to Dubai's rental law, any changes to the contract terms must be made 90 days before the contract expires.

As for the rent increase, you are now bound by what you agreed to, and you could have refused.

Dear Questioner,

Thanks for your inquiry!

In the UAE, tenancy laws, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, have specific regulations regarding lease renewals and changes to contracts.

Here’s how you can approach your situation:

1. Notification of Rent Increase:

According to UAE rental laws, landlords or agents must notify tenants of any rent increase at least 90 days before the lease expiration.

Since you informed the agent three months prior and they did not mention an increase, this may work in your favor.

2. Proposed Rent Increase:

Your proposal for a 3% increase is reasonable, especially if it aligns with market conditions. The landlord has the right to request an increase, but it should be in line with the rental index established by the local real estate authority.

3. Last-Minute Changes:

Any new clauses introduced to the contract that were not previously discussed can be contested. A lease renewal should ideally mirror the existing agreement unless both parties agree to changes.

You are within your rights to reject any modifications that were not part of the original terms.

4. Steps to Proceed:

- Communicate Clearly: Reach out to the agent and clearly state that you do not agree to the new clauses. Remind them of your initial agreement and the timeline regarding the rent increase.

- Document Everything: Keep records of all communications, including emails or messages regarding the renewal and any agreements made. This documentation will be helpful if you need to escalate the issue.

- Seek Legal Advice: If the agent or landlord insists on the new clauses, consider consulting a legal expert who specializes in UAE tenancy law. We can provide specific advice based on your situation.

Kindly do not hesitate to contact us via phone or email for further guidance.

Greetings,

Dear Questioner,

No, last-minute amendments are not accepted as per Dubai Rental Laws. You can challenge this because the amendments should have been mentioned 90 days prior to the renewal date.

You can also deny the rent increase for the same reason, due to the landlord's failure to notify within 90 days.

You have made a reasonable proposal regarding rent increase adjustments.

Last-minute changes introduced by the agent may not comply with standard practices or legal requirements, depending on local regulations governing tenancy agreements.