Q: Hi, My tenancy contract expired last week, and I filed an offer and deposit case with DLD because the landlord had not informed me of the rent increase 90 days earlier, and the RERA calculator also stated no rent increase was due. The offer and deposit case has been rejected due to no response from the landlord. What are the next steps? Do I need to file anything further? Thanks!

Q: Hello Everyone, I know it has been discussed quite a few times; however, it's not clear. Can the landlord increase rent according to the valuation certificate? My current rent is AED 71,400. When I check the RERA Rental Index, below is the text being shown: When renewing real property lease contracts, the maximum percentage of rent increase for real property in the Emirate of Dubai is 5% of the rent of real property unit, where the rent is 11% to 20% less than the average rental value of similar units. The rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Port Saeed ranges from 72,000 to 88,000 AED per year (excluding water, electricity, or any other fees). The increase amounts to 3,570 AED per year. The landlord's valuation certificate states AED 85,000. Therefore, my question is whether the rent can be raised to AED 85,000 using the valuation certificate, or if the increase should be limited to 5% since the valuation falls between 11-20%.

Q: Good morning, My landlord notified me 90 days before my contract’s end of a 15% rent increase, raising it from AED 55,000 to AED 63,250. However, according to the RERA index, the maximum increase should be 5%. I tried to negotiate, but they refused. On October 15, I made an offer and deposit of AED 57,250 (including the RERA-approved increase). The judge accepted it, but the landlord rejected it, claiming their other 1-bedroom units rent for AED 75,000. My contract expired on October 31, 2024. Recently, the landlord emailed saying I’m now staying illegally and will be charged AED 100 per day for not signing a new contract. Last week, I requested a new contract based on the RERA index, but they responded by refusing my offer and deposit, demanding full payment. My question: Should I be concerned, or should I let them pursue a case? Or just wait and see? Thank you for your assistance.

Q: What is the next step for me if my landlord (A big corporate firm earlier from a national bank) has rejected the offer & deposit notice even though the verdict of offer & deposit was approved for me? I have sent the verdict to the landlord and they are not engaging further. My lease ends on 24 January 2025.

Q: Dear Lawyers, I filed 2 Offer & Deposit applications: 1. Notice & Rent Increase: The landlord gave a 90-day notice to an unregistered email that is not listed in the tenancy agreement. My Jan 2025 filing, based on the Dec 2024 RERA Index, showed no rent increase, but the landlord now claims a 5% increase per the updated RERA Calculator this year. 2. Rental Payment: To deposit/transfer rent. Both were rejected due to the landlord’s nonresponse. However, the first installment was transferred via RDC & I provided the receipt. The landlord now demands the remaining payments, a renewed Ejari, & AED 420 admin fee (vs. the usual AED 265). They also threatened with eviction since Ejari expired last month. I’ve offered to provide PDC or deposit the amount. They have asked me to follow up with RDC to ensure the 1st payment is transferred to their account. Since I completed the Offer & Deposit process, I prefer they initiate a preliminary case. Could you please advise on the best course of action at this stage?

Q: Hello, I submitted an offer and deposit through the trustee office, but the owner rejected it. What is the next step? They sent an email notification stating that if not renewed within the contract's end time, 500 AED will be deducted for each additional day of stay.

Q: I’ve lived in my building for over 4 years, with the most recent rent being AED 50,000. Each year, the management collects cheques and extra AED 2,400–2,500 cash (no receipt) for management and Ejari fees. My contract was due for renewal on 15 Feb 2025, but management delayed, demanding a 10% rent increase even though no formal 90-day notice and the RERA index did not allow it. After a month of excuses, the manager called on 12 March, insisted increase to 55K, and threatened eviction if I refused. When I referenced RDC, he hung up. The next day, he again made unprofessional remarks, so I decided to go with RDC. I submitted my offer and deposit on 13th March, but the management didn’t respond. The case went to the judge on 14 April he ruled in my favor. On 30 April, I applied for the execution of the ruling, and RDC says I can renew Ejari only on 8th May at DLD with cheques given to them. However, on 1st May 2025, I received a notarized eviction notice for non-payment of rent and communication. My question is, what will happen at DLD now?

Q: I live in Dubai and I have a one-year rental contract with my landlord. According to the agreement, I must tell the landlord at least 90 days before the contract ends whether I want to renew it or leave. I followed the rule and sent them an email before the 90-day deadline, saying that I want to renew. They replied and said okay, and they asked me to send the new contract so they could sign it. I prepared the new contract (with the rent price fixed according to RERA rules) and sent it to them about two weeks ago. But since then, they haven’t replied or signed the contract. I think maybe they are waiting to see if someone else will offer more money to rent the apartment, so they are delaying their response. Now I am wondering: if they finally send back the signed contract after a long delay—let’s say in one more week—and by that time I’ve changed my mind (for example, I found a better apartment or I’m leaving the country), am I legally required to continue with this landlord?

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.

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.

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.

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.

This Decree determines the maximum percentage of rent increase for real property in the Emirate of Dubai when renewing lease contracts.