Good morning, My landlord notified me 90 days before my contract’s end of a 15% rent increase, raising it from AED 55,000 to AED 63,250. However, according to the RERA index, the maximum increase should be 5%. I tried to negotiate, but they refused. On October 15, I made an offer and deposit of AED 57,250 (including the RERA-approved increase). The judge accepted it, but the landlord rejected it, claiming their other 1-bedroom units rent for AED 75,000. My contract expired on October 31, 2024. Recently, the landlord emailed saying I’m now staying illegally and will be charged AED 100 per day for not signing a new contract. Last week, I requested a new contract based on the RERA index, but they responded by refusing my offer and deposit, demanding full payment. My question: Should I be concerned, or should I let them pursue a case? Or just wait and see? Thank you for your assistance.

Hi everyone, I’m facing an issue with my rental situation and would appreciate any advice. I purchased a company in July that’s renting a shop space, and the tenancy contract (under the company’s name) is ending on November 22. The landlord is insisting on a 40% rent increase, even though the RERA Index clearly indicates a 0% increase for this area. I’ve informed the landlord that this increase isn’t in line with RERA regulations, requested a new contract, and asked him to come by to collect the cheques—but he’s been unresponsive. To protect our position, I filed an offer and deposit with the rental dispute center, but it was automatically closed because the landlord didn’t respond. My question is: what should I do next? Filing a case for renewal will cost 5% of the rent, which is a significant amount right now. Are there any alternatives to proceed without incurring that cost, or any other steps to ensure the landlord adheres to the regulated rental terms?

Hello Experts! Kindly assist with the below: In a penal case that is still at the investigation stage, if your statement was taken and they realized you are truly innocent, with your name included only by association, is there a chance that your name can be dropped before being referred to court? Or does the fact that they took your statement mean you must appear in court?

Dear Lawyers, How can a wife file for khula when she is financially dependent on her husband and has no funds to support it?

Dear Lawyers, One of my employees is harassing me. I am female; she received her salary and then ran away, filing a case against me in labor court. I filed for absconding, but the complaint had already been made, and my fee was wasted. I have WhatsApp messages from her claiming that she will blackmail me. I am a new investor and have no clue what to do. I have no idea about lawyers and what I can do in my favor.

Hello, If my boss reports me for absconding, what is the best way to remove it without being deported?

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, My husband is in jail and the case is still under investigation, but the complainant wants to settle and withdraw the case. Is it possible for my husband to get out of jail on the same day the case is withdrawn?

Hello, If acquitted by the appeal court, is the travel ban and wanted status automatically removed? I mean, an innocent verdict was issued by the first instance court, then it was appealed, and after that, the travel ban was there. Now, the appeal court has issued an acquittal from all charges; so is the travel ban still there, or is it automatically removed after the judgment is issued?

Hello, Can my landlord evict me if he is selling the property to someone else? I am currently running a restaurant from the location.

Hello, My husband is in jail and the case is still under investigation, but the complainant wants to settle and withdraw the case. Is it possible for my husband to get out of jail on the same day the case is withdrawn?

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 recently made a Google review (and gave 1 star) regarding a grooming gone wrong to my fur baby's long, beautiful coat. Everything was done badly and so wrong; it was so upsetting and disappointing. The owner reached out and gave some free vitamins to my baby boy and even offered to share my résumé with his contacts because I am currently searching for a job. After an hour, the owner called asking me to delete my review. I messaged him not to pressure me or force me into doing something I don’t want to do, and told him I didn’t expect he wanted me to delete the review in exchange for the vitamins he gave for my fur baby. I updated my review and mentioned that I appreciated the gesture. But he called again, threatening that his business partner might file a case against me. Can they really do that to me, even if I didn’t directly ask for the vitamins and I didn’t say any bad word against their company? I just made an honest review based on an upsetting and frustrating grooming service.

Hello, If acquitted by the appeal court, is the travel ban and wanted status automatically removed? I mean, an innocent verdict was issued by the first instance court, then it was appealed, and after that, the travel ban was there. Now, the appeal court has issued an acquittal from all charges; so is the travel ban still there, or is it automatically removed after the judgment is issued?

Hello, According to UAE labor law, is it correct that weekends before the start date and after the end date of annual leave are not counted? Example: if the leave is applied from Monday to Friday, how many days should be deducted from the annual leave balance?

Hello, My RDC case says "enquire about shares and bonds," which I assume means freezing my bank accounts. How can I approach this and request them for an instalment or initial payment?

Hello, My husband is in jail and the case is still under investigation, but the complainant wants to settle and withdraw the case. Is it possible for my husband to get out of jail on the same day the case is withdrawn?

Good day, lawyers! My husband is cheating on me. He also flirts a lot with other girls on his other social media account. Then I found out that I was pregnant. We already have one daughter, and I just want a peaceful home for me and my children. Can I ask for a separate house and maintenance for us? I don't have work because I was focused on our daughter and our house. Also, what if he finds out that I am planning to get maintenance from him and he cancels our visa? Can I still get maintenance while in our country? I also learned that he is planning to send me and my children back to our country before I give birth so that he can live like a single man. I don't have money to pay for a lawyer because he's not giving me an allowance. What should I do? Thank you so much, and I hope someone can help me!

Hello, Can my landlord evict me if he is selling the property to someone else? I am currently running a restaurant from the location.

Hello, Please, I need help. I had a case where someone sent money to my account. I was selling USDT, but another person used me, scammed the person, and sent money to my account. I sent the USDT. I didn't know the person who sent the money to my account, so I gave him the USDT. Later, I was arrested for scam and using cryptocurrency without a license. The judgment came out: to pay 900 AED, 1 month imprisonment, and deportation. Please, can I appeal not to be deported?

Hello, I have given a POA to a lawyer to fight my case, but now I got to know his professional license expired 20 days ago. Is it allowed for him to represent me in court with an expired license?

Hello, This is regarding an enquiry about a case where we were acquitted by the first instance court, that is, the trial court. The prosecution appealed the judgment, and we also received an acquittal verdict from the misdemeanour appeal court. I know there are still 30 days, but what are the chances it can be appealed to the Court of Cassation?

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, My RDC case says "enquire about shares and bonds," which I assume means freezing my bank accounts. How can I approach this and request them for an instalment or initial payment?

Dear Lawyers, Is there any legal option available in the UAE for two persons with a verbal agreement to formalize it in a legal document for assurance?

Dear Lawyers, My deceased father owned a business in the UAE. He has a will stating that all property and the ongoing business go to my mother after him. My brother is part of the business, and my mother stays with him. I want to know, as per UAE law: 1. Do married daughters have any rights to be informed about the business's health? 2. Can married daughters claim any share or role in decision-making for the business, given that the will states that after my mother, the inheritance will be equally shared among siblings?

Hello, I know a divorced couple where the mother holds custody of the child. They are both from Jordan. The father took the child and left to the UAE. Can the mother file a lawsuit against the ex-husband in the UAE since he is there?

Dear Lawyers, I bought a car from a dealer in Dubai for AED 64,000. After taking delivery, I learned that the car was flooded. At the time of purchase, the dealer assured me that the car was 100% free from flooding and major accidents. What should I do now? Is it possible to get my money back?

Dear Lawyers, When should the company cancel me if my contract and labor card have expired, but my ID is still valid?

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

I am working in the private sector, and currently I am in the probation period. I got a government job, so I submitted a one-month resignation notice. My current company rejected my one-month notice and ordered me to serve a three-month notice (as per the contract). I enquired with One Time Centre, and as per their advice, after one month, I can stop work and register a complaint against my company. For this matter, how will the UAE law help me to solve it?

Hello, The company has a policy allowing employees to work from home once per week. Now, employees are asking if overtime is applicable for those who work from home as well. Could you please clarify? Thank you!

Hello, Is it allowed for a company to terminate an employee because the employee refused to do work not stated in the contract?

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?