Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
4 available 4 • View allHow do I handle a non-paying tenant with pending cheques and no contract?




1
Q: Dear Lawyers,
My tenant in Dubai consistently pays rent late, and we did not renew the contract when it expired on December 23rd. However, I accepted post-dated cheques from them.
Currently, two cheques for 32,000 AED are pending, and another for 16,000 AED is due on October 6th (covering rent for November and December).
They signed a letter stating that if they do not pay by the end of September, they will vacate by October 1st.
They’ve been late before but eventually paid. Now, they are not responding to my follow-ups, and I’m concerned they may leave without settling the rent.
My questions are:
1. Can building security stop them from moving out until payment is made?
2. Should I evict them on October 1st, deposit the cheques, and file a case if they don’t pay?
3. Is the signed letter enough to evict them legally?
4. Can I deposit the cheques without a contract?
5. Can I pursue legal action against all family members living there?





+6
Sep 24, 2024
270
Filing a case against the tenant for failing to pay the rent


0
Q: I'm the owner of one apartment in Dubai and it's rented.
The tenant is not paying the rent for one year.
I want to know how to evict the tenant and recover my rent debt (AED 40000).



Jun 10, 2019
1588
Tenant always late with payments, hasn't renewed contract. What to do?




2
Q: Hello,
I have a tenant who is always late with their payment. Their renewal was supposed to be last December 2023.
Currently, they have not signed any new contract, provided any new cheques, and have stayed for three months from December until now without paying rent.
Additionally, I just discovered that they have sublet the apartment with partitions, which is clearly stated as not allowed in the old contract.
Please let me know what should I do legally!





+6
Mar 14, 2024
500
What can I do if my tenant is not providing rent cheques nor responding to renew the tenancy contract?




0
Q: Hi,
I am a landlord and need advice on the following scenario.
- The contract with my tenant expired in Sep 2024. Upon requesting the renewal, the tenant mentioned that she is out of the country and will sign the renewal contract and provide the rent checks. In the meantime, she paid the first quarter of rent through a bank transfer.
- After 3 months, when the next quarter's payment was due, she deposited the next quarter's rent into my bank but did not sign the contract renewal despite my follow-up with her multiple times. At this time, she had returned to Dubai.
- Now the next quarter payment is due, however, the tenant is not responding to WhatsApp or answering calls. She is NOT paying rent or renewing the contract.
What action can I take since she is not answering my calls or messages?
She does not have a valid contract or Ejari, and her rent is delayed by 1 month. All WhatsApp messages are delivered, but she chooses not to respond.





+2
Apr 18, 2025
54
Legal blog
3 available 3 • View allWhat You Should Know While Renting a Property in the UAE 5
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.
Feb 24, 2020
4003
Procedures of the Rental Dispute Settlement Center in Dubai 21
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.
Oct 20, 2018
21455
Legal Notices in Dubai Rental Law 1
Legal notices are a key requirement under Dubai’s Tenancy Law to regulate landlord-tenant relationships and ensure fair warning before termination or legal action. These notices, whether judicial or ordinary, serve to inform the other party of breaches, non-renewal, or eviction. Dubai’s tenancy regulations clearly outline when notice is required, the proper form and method, and the consequences of failing to comply, all supported by legal provisions and judicial precedents.
May 8, 2025
56
Laws & Regulations
3 available 3 • View allLaw No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 12
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.
Nov 26, 2007
24370
Law No. (33) of 2008 Amending Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants in the Emirate of Dubai 8
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.
Dec 1, 2008
25098
Decree No. (26) of 2013 Concerning the Rent Disputes Settlement Centre in the Emirate of Dubai 0
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.
Sep 18, 2013
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