Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
4 available 4 • View allCan I get the rent cheques back if I decided to cancel the tenancy shortly after signing the agreement?




0
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.





+2
Nov 6, 2024
204
Consequences of terminating a lease contract after releasing first payment
1
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?

Oct 6, 2020
348
Canceling a property rental contract before the designated move-in date

2
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?


Apr 9, 2020
4398
I renewed my tenancy contract in Dubai but Ejari is yet to be renewed.




0
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





+1
Dec 4, 2024
96
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allWhat You Should Know While Renting a Property in the UAE 5
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
3989
Procedures of the Rental Dispute Settlement Center in Dubai 21
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.
Oct 20, 2018
21431
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allLaw No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 12
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.
Nov 26, 2007
24348
Law No. (33) of 2008 Amending Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 8
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.
Dec 1, 2008
25064
Decree No. (26) of 2013 Concerning the Rent Disputes Settlement Centre in the Emirate of Dubai 0
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.
Sep 18, 2013
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I hope you are well.
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Can I renew my trade license and visa if I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me? 0
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Can I renew my trade license and visa if I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me? 0
Hello,
I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year.
My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID.
Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases?
The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority.
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Thanks.
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How to file a case against my former company for unpaid salary I was not on their visa? 0
Dear Legal Advice Middle East,
I hope you are well.
I am seeking legal advice regarding an unpaid salary issue with my former employer, [-----]2 LLC. I was employed with them from December 4, 2024, to January 7, 2025, on a monthly salary of 5,000 AED.
However, I only received a partial payment of 2,473 AED on February 24, 2025. The remaining 2,527 AED is still unpaid.
I submitted a complaint to MOHRE on March 2, 2025, but I am unable to proceed further through their official channels.
This is because I was working under the visa of my previous employer, [---] LLC, and not under [----]’s sponsorship.
As a result, I do not meet the criteria to file a labor complaint via the MOHRE app or hotline.
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