Q: Dear Lawyers, I have served an eviction notice to my tenant, and he vacated the property 2 months before the eviction's maturity date, as the lease had expired. I now wish to return his security deposit following his eviction, with the request that the tenant confirms that the lease agreement is canceled. However, he is unwilling to confirm this via e-mail. Can I withhold the security deposit until he confirms via e-mail that he has officially vacated the apartment and that the lease is canceled with no future obligations between the landlord and tenant? Can I ask him to return?

Q: Please see the information given below and let me know who should pay this security deposit to the tenant and what will be the new landlord role here. 1. In August, 2016, I purchased a property in Gate Tower, Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, where the tenant stayed. 2. His contract was until Feb 2017, so instead of returning the balance amount of rental charge, I requested the previous owner to deduct that amount. 3. After signing the contract, I received the contract between the previous owner and tenant and realized that there was a deposit AED 4,750. 4. I did not know about this deposit and transferring deposit was not even mentioned in the contract. Furthermore, the deposit agreement was between previous owner and tenant. 5. Now, the tenant wants to receive the deposit. Please let me know whether I as a new landlord have to return this deposit or the tenant has to collect the deposit from the previous owner since they made an agreement of deposit.

Q: I had rented a flat in Sharjah and returned it to the landlord prior to expiry after obtaining the necessary clearance from authorities. All rents due were paid. The landlord is not paying the security deposit of AED1500 for the last 90 days. Now, he is not answering calls or replying to messages. Please advise

Q: Hello, I need advice on claiming damages from a tenant who left my commercial premises in poor condition (e.g., damaged flooring, broken fixtures, broken partitions, and holes in the wall). What steps should I take to document the damage? How can I recover the costs, and do I need to file an RDC case? Can I withhold the security deposit, as the damages exceed the deposit amount?

Q: Hello, A tenant damaged the property I recently purchased upon their eviction, and the security deposit does not cover all of the damages. I would like to know how I can take action against the tenant. Does any proof need to be submitted? If yes, what proofs are required since I bought an already tenanted property? What is the timeframe and process to seek compensation for the damages?

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.

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

The provisions of this law, promulgating UAE Civil Code, govern the civil transactions in the United Arab Emirates. The commercial transactions remain subject to the laws and regulations applicable in their regard.