Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I am in the process of renewing my lease contract and I requested the agent several times to remove the clause that says: "in the event of renewal of the contract, the tenant agrees to pay Real Estate company as admin fee of AED1000/-". The agent hasn't removed it yet. My last contract expires today, my cheque was ready yesterday (12/03/2024), and I sent them the contract signed (10/03/2024) and made an X on that clause. Now the agent is threatening me with legal actions saying I'm staying in the apartment illegally (today 1st day). Can they threaten me? Do they have any right to keep charging me their fees? As I read online: "By UAE law, as well as Dubai Land Department regulations, agents are entitled to receive a fee when a tenancy contract is signed. But there is no clause stating that agents hold the right to continue receiving that fee every time a tenant’s contract is renewed”. Should I go to DLD and do the contract with their help? Would appreciate any advice.

Q: Hello, Can I have legal clarification on whether estate agents in Dubai are allowed to charge a non-refundable commission fee upfront before the sale of a property? Thanks in advance!

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, My contract expires in November, and I was supposed to pay the renewal checks by October 4th. However, I submitted them on October 7th. Now my landlord is penalizing me with a 15% fee. Is this a rule according to RERA?

Q: Hello, My landlord wants to deduct 3% from the annual rent for contract renewal. The first contract, signed a year ago, included a clause stating that I must pay 3% to renew the lease for the following year. Is this legal if it was mentioned in the contract?

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.

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.

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.