Q: Hi, The real estate agency that leased me the apartment included: "Tenant confirmed that they will vacate the property after the end of the contract" under additional terms in my Ejari without consulting me. They wanted me to vacate last year or increase the rent way above the RERA recommended increase. Can I renew my tenancy contract as per RERA guidelines this year? I haven't received any DLD or other notice from my landlord.

Q: Hello Madame. My landlord sent me a notice to increase rent on the renewal of tenancy, 90 days in advance before the end of the contract. However, no rent increase is permitted as per RERA Rental Index, as such, I refused the increase and asked him to renew the tenancy at the same rent as last year. He refused and asked me to vacate upon tenancy completion which is on 14-Feb. Now, he is threatening to come to the house, and force me to vacate on 14-Feb. What are my legal options? I want to continue living in this house, and pay the same rent, as last year, as no increase is permitted as per RERA Rent Index.

Q: Dear Lawyers, While signing a rental renewal contract, the following clause is added: "This contract is a non-renewable contract, and the tenant agrees to vacate the premises at the end of the tenancy contract. He acknowledges that he has no right to file or claim in the future any lawsuit or compensation claim against the owner regarding this property, including what’s in it." The tenant signs the contract. My questions are: Q1. Is it legally enforceable within the UAE legal system, as it basically contradicts the basic rights of residents and tenants in the UAE? "No one has the right to prevent another person from resorting to the judiciary." Q2. This was used as a pressure instrument by the landlord as a condition of renewal after serving an eviction notice. This is all documented over emails. Q3. Can I sue the landlord for using the pressure tactic of serving me an eviction notice, pressing me for a rental increase, and making me sign this clause? All communications are documented.

Q: Hello, My landlord wants to introduce admin fees for renewing my apartment rental contract, which were not part of our original agreement or renewal in the past two years. I have informed him multiple times that I do not agree to pay this AED 750 admin fee. Can he force me to pay it? Can he evict me? What steps should I take next? Thanks!

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.

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.

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. 

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.