Q: In my landlord-tenant dispute scenario I have received conflicting answers from lawyers, so I want to know if you have any real judicial judgments from the RDC on this: The property was tenanted and the tenant received a court-stamped 12-month eviction notice due to the landlord wanting to sell the property. The property was sold to a new owner prior to the end of the 12-month period. The tenant claimed that the previous eviction notice was invalidated due to a change of ownership and refused to vacate. The new landlord sent a subsequent court-stamped notice, referencing the date of the previous eviction notice and instructing the tenant to leave as the landlord desires to move in himself. The tenant claims that the subsequent notice has no legal basis, neither in reinforcing the original notice nor as a new 12-month eviction notice. The original 12-month eviction period will expire on June 8 and the new landlord will raise an RDC case on June 9 to evict the tenant.

Q: Dear Lawyers, The former owner of a unit sent an email to the tenant stating he wouldn't renew the contract as the unit was being sold. The tenant acknowledged the email and agreed to vacate the property at the end of the contract, so no eviction notice was issued. Now, the property has been sold. The tenant has been reminded about the email exchange but no longer acknowledges it and refuses to leave, claiming it has nothing to do with the new owner. Does the new owner have a claim if they go to the RDC to evict the tenant? Will the email exchange hold in court?

Q: Good Evening, I am looking to purchase a tenanted property where the seller has already served a one-year eviction notice to the tenant. I am purchasing it for personal use and want to move in as soon as the tenant leaves in March. Is the seller's original eviction notice still valid after he sells it to me or do I have to serve a new eviction notice to the tenant?

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.

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 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.