Q: Hi. I am a tenant and gave notice to my landlord on 3rd July 2017. The contract was for 12 months starting March 2017 but had the following provisions: "The Parties agree that there may be instances where the Tenant shall need to terminate the lease early, and in accordance with current guidelines the Tenant will give a two-month notice and two-month rent penalty in the case of immediate vacation." The landlord did not come to the pre-agreed date of vacating the premises on the 7th of September because I refused to pay him the two-month penalty, although I had already given him over 2 months notice. He is saying I have to pay him the additional 2 months even though I read it as only payable if I vacated immediately.

Q: Dear Sir, I am renting a house in Dubai. The yearly rent is paid with 2 cheques. I have been renting the house for 8 months. The landlord has already cashed in the 2 cheques. My tenancy agreement includes an exit clause for early termination: "In the event of the tenancy contract being broken by the tenant, he/she will have to give the landlord 60 days' notice". The tenancy agreement will end in 4 months. I informed the landlord that I will leave the house within 60 days. He told me that he will not refund the remaining 2 months. What should I do?

Q: Hi I am a tenant in Abu Dhabi. I have been staying in the same apartment, for the last 6 years. I had given 2 months notice to vacate the apartment in case the rent is not reduced. But the landlord did not reduce my rent. Unfortunately, I am not able to move to another apartment, within the notice period. So I asked him for an extension of 10 days, or for 4 months since I will be moving to Dubai within 4 months as my husband is working in Dubai. But he refused to give any extension. Now, what are my rights in case of early termination, he is telling that I am supposed to give him 2 months notice, and after completion of 2 months notice, I am liable to pay him another 2 months rent. Please advise what are my rights under this.

Q: Dear All, My landlord disconnected the electricity in my flat and locked the electrical room due to my outstanding balance. What will happen to me if I unlock the door to turn on the power? My money is with my recent employer against whom I won a labor case. The landlord refuses to wait

Q: Hello, I had provided 90 days' notice of tenancy cancellation to my landlord and he acknowledged the same. As per this, I am supposed to vacate the villa on 20 July. I now need to extend my stay for 4 additional days (21 - 24th July), due to unforeseen circumstances. What is the rule in this regard? Can a tenant request for the same and is the landlord obliged to agree? Or can he charge me for the 4 extra days on a pro-rata basis? For your info, I have been a tenant at this villa for 8 years. Thank you for your assistance. R. A.

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I am in the process of selling an apartment that is tenanted until February 2024. In April 2023, I served the tenant with an eviction notice due to my plan to sell, which means he has until April 2024 to leave the apartment. The contract stipulates that he is liable for two months' rent for early termination. The tenant has informed me that he wishes to leave immediately and is demanding a refund of rent paid for the entire remaining period of the contract. He claims that, according to the DLD, he can leave with no notice and without any penalty due to the eviction notice. Is he correct?

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.

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.