Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I agreed with my landlord to vacate his apartment because he wanted to sell the property. He provided me with one year's notice from a notary public. My current contract ends on June 4th, 2023. However, the one-year notice period expires at the end of November 2023. I have two questions: - Can he increase the rent from June 4th, 2023 to November 2023? - How can I request evidence from the landlord that he is selling the property?

Q: Dear Lawyers, I have received an eviction notice from my landlord to vacate the property for his personal use. Then, in August 2024, he communicated with me via WhatsApp and email that he wants to sell the property. I met with him to find a solution, and he said that if I raise the rent, he will let me stay and renew. However, the price he is asking for is not justified, and according to the RERA index, no rent increase should be applied. To resolve this issue, I offered a 10% increase, but he refused. Am I eligible for renewal at the same rate I am currently paying?

Q: My previous landlord served me a notice to vacate, stating he intended to sell the apartment, which he later sold to a private company. From what I understand, this notice should transfer to the new owner, who would only be allowed to either sell the unit or move in themselves and cannot ask me to vacate to re-lease for higher rent. We are closer to the 12-month notice expiry and the new owner (a private company) is now demanding a significantly higher rent—above RERA’s allowed increase—or insisting I vacate so they can lease it again at market rates. The demand is more than 50% of my current rent. Is this demand from the new owner valid? I called up RERA who couldn’t help and advised me to approach a lawyer. I am not sure if my rationale holds or if the new landlord is correct. I’ll appreciate advice from this community.

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