Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allWhat to do with the landlord if he refuses to do maintenance for the apartment before renewal?
Q: I am posting this to seek your advice on a matter regarding the rental dispute. The scenario is as follows;
I selected an apartment to rent in Sharjah. The apartment was in bad condition with termites on door frames, a bathtub that needed to be replaced and other minor fixings to be done.
The agent assured me to fix all the issues so I handed him over the 3 rent cheques, 1 cash installment, and a deposit of Dhs. 2000.00 (I have the receipts for cash payments).
This all happened on 26.12.2023 and he promised me to fix the property by the 1st of January and the contract shall be made for 15.01.2024.
Now today is 11.01.2024 when I am writing this email to you and nothing has been done yet other than false promises of fixing it all in 2 days.
The contract date mentioned is 15.01.2024 but I have not yet received it physically.
Now my question is, can you advise what are my options?
Any help regarding this will be much appreciated.
Jan 11, 2024
1010
Responsibility for the maintenance of defects in a rented apartment
Q: I live in a 4 bedroom apartment in Deira/Dubai.
3 out of the 4 bedrooms have sewage leakage problem somewhere in the ceiling and the smell is horrible. The landlord refuses to fix the problem even though my tenancy contract clearly states that he must fix on his expense.
To make the story short, After filing for a case against him at the RDC, It all went down to the police station where he refused to sign a paper that states his willingness to fix.
Next, a Dubai Municipality official visited the apartment and submitted a report to the Land Department confirming that the apartment smells very bad. All meanwhile I refused to pay any rent to pressure this landlord to fix.
So now 4 months have passed and the accumulated rent has built up to above AED 100,000. The landlord has filed a case to claim the rental amount.
What to do? And how can he file a case against me at the RDC without the RDC asking him to fix the apartment first?!
Can I refuse to pay this landlord? I think it is unfair to pay!
Jul 12, 2018
6502
Early termination of a lease because of poor condition of the building
Q: Hello.
I hope I can get some good insight from you. I have tried to reason with my landlord to allow me to break my tenancy contract early. He refused.
Now what legal action can I take, and can I refuse to pay the full amount as too many shortfalls in the building? It is very dirty, never cleaning, the gym is so dirty one may get a disease, faulty equipment, very bad maintenance, a pool no one can access... so many.
What can I do about it? Can I refuse to pay the whole amount? Who can I complain to? I need some info to know what to do.
Thank you.
Nov 5, 2017
3054
Legal blog
1 available 1 • View allWhat You Should Know While Renting a Property in the UAE
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.
Feb 24, 2020
3986
Laws & Regulations
1 available 1 • View allFederal Law No. (10) of 1992 On Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions
The provisions of this law On Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions (Law of Evidence) govern evidence in civil and commercial disputes in the UAE.
Jan 15, 1992
19121
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How many days do I need to wait for company cancellation following resignation and notice?
Hello,
How many days do I need to wait for company cancellation following resignation and one-month notice?
Apr 29, 2025
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Employer agreed to settle before MOHRE. What if they don’t pay the promised amount?
Hello,
I already have a dispute order with MOHRE. Then my employer became willing to settle the case.
What should I do in case they do not follow through with the promised amount to pay?
Apr 29, 2025
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Despite a waiver, the case is still with the public prosecution. Can I travel?
Hello,
I had a case regarding fraud by technical means, and we did a tanazul.
It was attested and submitted to the court, but the case still hasn’t been dropped and is now with the public prosecution.
What do I do now, as I need to travel urgently?
Apr 28, 2025
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How can we claim our money back if the cheque we received have bounced for insufficient funds?
We received a cheque which has now bounced. We have tried for over a month and a half now to get a new cheque from the person, and every day he says the next day.
We need the money now. We have been to the police station, and they said they can not do anything as the reason the cheque bounced is "Insufficient funds."
We have been to Al Barsha - Dubai Courts, and they said there is nothing they can do about it.
We are not sure what we can do. We need the money asap to pay our kids' school fees, let alone all the interest we have lost.
Apr 28, 2025
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Who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer?
Hello
I joined my new company on February 26, 2025. Upon joining the new company, I asked HR if it was free to join the company, and she said yes.
After working with them for 1 month, I experienced a salary delay, and I had to go to the office to ask why there was a delay in my salary.
That is when the HR told me she deducted my whole salary to recover the transfer fee.
Now my question is, who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer?
Apr 28, 2025
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Other answers by
Employer agreed to settle before MOHRE. What if they don’t pay the promised amount?
Hello,
I already have a dispute order with MOHRE. Then my employer became willing to settle the case.
What should I do in case they do not follow through with the promised amount to pay?
Apr 29, 2025
21
Despite a waiver, the case is still with the public prosecution. Can I travel?
Hello,
I had a case regarding fraud by technical means, and we did a tanazul.
It was attested and submitted to the court, but the case still hasn’t been dropped and is now with the public prosecution.
What do I do now, as I need to travel urgently?
Apr 28, 2025
19
How can we claim our money back if the cheque we received have bounced for insufficient funds?
We received a cheque which has now bounced. We have tried for over a month and a half now to get a new cheque from the person, and every day he says the next day.
We need the money now. We have been to the police station, and they said they can not do anything as the reason the cheque bounced is "Insufficient funds."
We have been to Al Barsha - Dubai Courts, and they said there is nothing they can do about it.
We are not sure what we can do. We need the money asap to pay our kids' school fees, let alone all the interest we have lost.
Apr 28, 2025
34
Who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer?
Hello
I joined my new company on February 26, 2025. Upon joining the new company, I asked HR if it was free to join the company, and she said yes.
After working with them for 1 month, I experienced a salary delay, and I had to go to the office to ask why there was a delay in my salary.
That is when the HR told me she deducted my whole salary to recover the transfer fee.
Now my question is, who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer?
Apr 28, 2025
19
Is it possible for a foreigner to get a divorce in Dubai?
Is it possible for a foreigner to get a divorce here in Dubai?
Apr 28, 2025
15
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How many days do I need to wait for company cancellation following resignation and notice?
Hello,
How many days do I need to wait for company cancellation following resignation and one-month notice?
Apr 29, 2025
21
Employer agreed to settle before MOHRE. What if they don’t pay the promised amount?
Hello,
I already have a dispute order with MOHRE. Then my employer became willing to settle the case.
What should I do in case they do not follow through with the promised amount to pay?
Apr 29, 2025
21
Despite a waiver, the case is still with the public prosecution. Can I travel?
Hello,
I had a case regarding fraud by technical means, and we did a tanazul.
It was attested and submitted to the court, but the case still hasn’t been dropped and is now with the public prosecution.
What do I do now, as I need to travel urgently?
Apr 28, 2025
19
How can we claim our money back if the cheque we received have bounced for insufficient funds?
We received a cheque which has now bounced. We have tried for over a month and a half now to get a new cheque from the person, and every day he says the next day.
We need the money now. We have been to the police station, and they said they can not do anything as the reason the cheque bounced is "Insufficient funds."
We have been to Al Barsha - Dubai Courts, and they said there is nothing they can do about it.
We are not sure what we can do. We need the money asap to pay our kids' school fees, let alone all the interest we have lost.
Apr 28, 2025
34
Who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer?
Hello
I joined my new company on February 26, 2025. Upon joining the new company, I asked HR if it was free to join the company, and she said yes.
After working with them for 1 month, I experienced a salary delay, and I had to go to the office to ask why there was a delay in my salary.
That is when the HR told me she deducted my whole salary to recover the transfer fee.
Now my question is, who is supposed to pay for the transfer fee, the employee or the employer?
Apr 28, 2025
19
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I want to open a company to do crypto P2P trading on Binance. How to guarantee the bank account not to be closed?
I want to do crypto P2P trading on Binance. But I want to do it safely, so I want to open a company and do it. My monthly turnover will be around 4 million AED.
I heard a lot that banks are freezing or closing business bank accounts because of this kind of activity. I want to know whether that is true or not.
Apr 2, 2025
89
How to solve the OTP issue blocking my visa change while changing jobs and get a new visa?
I need legal advice regarding the cancellation of my work permit to join a new company. Here’s a brief overview:
I have worked for a contracting company in Dubai since 2018, with my visa later transferred to Sharjah. After receiving a job offer in Dubai, I resigned, but my old employer’s attempt to cancel my work permit failed due to an OTP issue.
ICP granted permission to cancel my change-of-status visa, but when my new employer applied for my permit, they found the old one still active. I raised a labor complaint with MOHRE on 21 March 2025, but it's still under process.
My family’s grace period expired on 27 Mar 2025, so I sent them back to India. I’m now facing a daily fine of AED 50 for overstaying since my change of status was canceled on 13 Mar 2025.
Once this is resolved, I plan to bring my family back as my son’s school reopens on 07 April 2025.
I would appreciate your advice on resolving the permit cancellation and overstay fines.
Mar 28, 2025
67
Are the non-compete clauses enforceable in case of resignation to take a better offer?
Currently working at Company X in Dubai. I recently got a stronger offer from Company Y, a much larger firm in the same industry but in a different free zone.
When I asked if Company X could match the offer, they proposed a bonus, not a salary adjustment. I resigned. While I didn’t disclose where I was going, they seem to know, and their legal team has started sending letters.
My contract has restrictive clauses, including: “For 12 months post-termination, the employee shall not, without prior written consent, (a) be employed or engaged in any capacity by any business in competition in the UAE with any Restricted Business; (b) have business dealings with any Client or Prospective Client in such competition.”
Friends in law say it’s too broad to enforce. I held a manager role, AED 30k/month, not C-level, though considered a key member. Despite the pressure, I believe they’re overreaching legally.
Please advise if these non-compete clauses are enforceable.
Mar 28, 2025
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What can I do in case of odometer tampering, false ownership information, and a flood-damaged vehicle?
What can I do in case of odometer tampering, false ownership information, and a flood-damaged vehicle?
What is the procedure for filing a fraud complaint about these issues?
Mar 21, 2025
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Can we legally act against community management for a noisy pool unit?
Hello,
We live in a development in Ras Al Khaimah, and under our apartment block, there is a loud swimming pool heater/chiller unit that runs 24/7, producing a rattling and humming noise that disturbs our peace.
We can hardly use our balcony due to this noise. Other apartments face the same issue, but the community management refuses to take action.
What legal recourse do we have? Can we serve the community management office with a legal notice?
Mar 24, 2025
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Other answers by
How to formalize a verbal agreement into a legal document in the UAE?
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?
Nov 22, 2024
76
Do daughters have the right to know information about a business fully inherited by mother from father?
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?
Nov 1, 2024
97
Can a mother sue in the UAE to regain custody after her ex-husband took their child from Jordan?
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?
Oct 29, 2024
130
Bought a car in Dubai assured as flood-free, but discovered it was flooded. What should I do?
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?
Oct 30, 2024
274
When should the company cancel me if my contract and labor card have expired, but my ID is still valid?
Dear Lawyers,
When should the company cancel me if my contract and labor card have expired, but my ID is still valid?
Nov 1, 2024
486
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Other answers by
Employer agreed to settle before MOHRE. What if they don’t pay the promised amount?
Hello,
I already have a dispute order with MOHRE. Then my employer became willing to settle the case.
What should I do in case they do not follow through with the promised amount to pay?
Apr 29, 2025
21
After 11 months of work, how many leave days is an employee entitled to?
Hello,
I want to inquire regarding my leave privileges. I am now 11 months in my company. How many leaves am I privileged to?
Based on Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 regulating labour relations and its executive regulations, you are entitled to a paid weekly rest for not less than one day, as specified in the work contract or the work regulation.
The Council of Ministers may increase the weekly rest day stipulated in this article. The Decree-Law and its executive regulations also stipulate that you are entitled to an annual leave with full pay as follows:
- Thirty days for each year of your extended service.
- Two days per month in respect of any employee with more than six months and less than one year of service.
- Leave for parts of the last year of your service in case it is terminated before you use your annual leave balance.
Now my question is: do I have 22 days I can use? Can someone explain to me in detail?
Thank you!
Apr 28, 2025
31
Can I sell branded replica watches online, not in a physical store?
Hello,
Can I sell branded replica watches online, on Facebook Marketplace, etc.?
Not in a physical store, just online.
Apr 27, 2025
28
What can I do if my neighbors are constantly doing construction work and constantly drilling?
I live in a townhouse with a shared wall with my neighbors. They are constantly doing construction work and constantly drilling on the shared wall.
They said it will last for 2 months, working 6 days a week. It is driving us crazy, and there is no way to live this way, and I have to work from home.
I am very stressed. What is the immediate solution, please?
Apr 25, 2025
40
هل يسجل الطفل قانونياً بالإمارات في حال كان الفرق بين عقد الزواج الشرعي والولادة تقريباً 166 يوم أقل من 6 أشهر؟
السلام عليكم
هل يسجل الطفل قانونياً بالإمارات (أب إماراتي يحمل جواز من الشارقة ، أم وافدة) في حال كان الفرق بين عقد الزواج الشرعي والولادة تقريباً 166 يوم أقل من 6 أشهر؟
هل يمنع من استخراج شهاده ميلاد؟ وما هي الإجراءات والعقوبات المتوقعة؟
مع العلم بأن الأب معترف بالطفل قبل الزواج وبعده.
شكراً
Apr 25, 2025
18
Premium
Other answers by
Employer agreed to settle before MOHRE. What if they don’t pay the promised amount?
Hello,
I already have a dispute order with MOHRE. Then my employer became willing to settle the case.
What should I do in case they do not follow through with the promised amount to pay?
Apr 29, 2025
21
Is a bounced rent cheque case considered a criminal record for U.S. visa applications?
Hello,
My rent cheque was bounced, and my landlord filed a case against me in Sharjah Court. I received a fine of 2,000 AED, which was later reduced to 1,000 AED upon appeal.
Does this case count as a criminal conviction under UAE law, or was it handled as a civil matter?
If I apply for a U.S. visa, will I need to submit court records under the requirement for applicants with past convictions?
Apr 15, 2025
64
Can I stay home if my boss doesn’t pay my salary on time?
Hello,
Can I stay home if my boss doesn’t pay my salary on time?
Apr 10, 2025
84
Do I need to inform my current employer 2 months in advance if I plan to leave?
Hello,
I am planning to change to another company and I am waiting for the offer. The visa from the current company is going to end in 2 months.
Should I inform them about my leaving? I haven’t received any offer yet, so I didn’t inform them, and they’re asking about the renewal every day.
Is it mandatory to inform them 2 months in advance?
Apr 24, 2025
34
How can I pay the rent after selling the property if neither the old nor the new owner is clarifying this?
My current landlord has sold the building I live in, and my rent cheque was due to be presented on April 1st. I contacted the new landlord and the current landlord about my rent cheque.
My current landlord advised that they had withdrawn the cheque and presented it to the new landlord. However, the new landlord has ignored three requests for clarity on how to pay my rent, which is now overdue.
What are my options here?
I am attempting to pay the rent, but they are unresponsive.
Apr 3, 2025
83
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Can a DTC holiday home permit be used as proof that my landlord re-rented the property after evicting me?
Hello,
My landlord vacated the property with 12 months' notice, stating he would live there himself.
However, he started renting the property through the holiday homes system.
Is a permit issued by the DTC for a holiday home valid proof to prove that he is renting and to claim compensation?
Mar 18, 2025
68
I have video recording of my husband beating me. Can I show this in the child custody hearing?
I have a video recording of my husband beating me in our garden.
Can I show this in the child custody hearing?
It was filmed with my phone camera
Mar 19, 2025
71
We won the case with the RDC to evict the tenant. What happens after waiting the cooling period?
We won the case with the RDC that the tenant has to evict the property. We are told there is a cooling period before they say the date he has to leave.
How long is the cooling period he can appeal and then what happens next if he appeals and if he doesn't?
He was served the one-year notice and then refused to leave, hence the case we raised with RDC and won.
Thank you
Mar 19, 2025
57
Can a free zone visa holder work remotely across the UAE while visiting the company weekly?
Hello,
Is it legally permissible for an employee holding a Fujairah free zone visa with a job role in sales and marketing to primarily work remotely from various locations, including Dubai, while visiting the Fujairah-based company once a week?
The employee would meet clients and conduct business activities on the UAE mainland.
Does this arrangement comply with UAE labor laws?
Mar 19, 2025
68
What are the working hour regulations for nursing mothers in the UAE during Ramadan?
Hello lawyers,
Could you please clarify the regulations regarding working hours for nursing/breastfeeding mothers in the UAE during Ramadan?
How many hours are they entitled to?
Mar 20, 2025
108
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