Q: The landlord has entered and signed a 1-year tenancy agreement with a tenant on 10.10 with a move-in date 4 weeks later, and on 07.11. collected 4 cheques (3 + 1 security deposit). 1 day before moving in the tenant decided to abruptly cancel and demanded for the cheques not to be deposited. Ejari has not yet been registered as it was planned to be done after the key handover. Is the landlord entitled to deposit the cheques (security cheque + 1 cheque) and demand 2 months' rent as a penalty? The tenancy contract has no explicit early termination clause. What are the rights of the landlord in this case to protect and address the financial inconvenience? Thank you.

Q: Hi, I signed a lease contract for a villa in Dubai with start date Nov 1st. Paid 5% deposit to the landlord and a 5% fee to the real estate agent. Now, as we start discussing details about the move, we are not happy with how the landlord is discussing some small terms. They are not major issues that would allow us to legally terminate the contract but small things that do not give us the confidence that our life would be easy with them in the future. Therefore, we would like to cancel such lease contract with start date Nov 1st. Question is what would be the consequences of such termination? Considering that the contract has not yet started, could we just cancel it now without any penalty and getting our deposit back?

Q: Is it possible to cancel a property rental contract before the designated move-in date that has been signed already? What are the rights of the landlord on my cheques that have been given to him already? Will I have to pay any fees even though I have not received the keys to the place yet, and I am also unable to move due to the COVID-19 lockdown?

Q: Hello, I renewed my tenancy contract in Dubai but Ejari is yet to be renewed. I want to early terminate the contract. The notice period is not mentioned in the contract but the addendum has a clause of 2 months penalty without mentioning any notice period. What does the RERA Law stipulate regarding tenant notice period? Can I avoid the 2-month penalty if I give a notice period as per RERA Law? Thank you

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.

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. 

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.