Q: We served our tenant 1-year eviction notice. All done correctly and I don’t think he will leave when he should leave in a week. He tried to raise a petition to the DLD to say we own other properties that make the eviction illegal which the DLD rejected as we don’t own other property. I want to be prepared, so does anyone know what documents I’ll need to submit to raise a case if he doesn’t leave and what I need to translate before?

Q: Hi, After winning the first instance in RDC, I filed for execution against my tenant, who refuses to pay and vacate the property. Upon checking the portal, it showed that the writ notice had been given to the tenant, but there is no scheduled hearing, and the Case Activity is listed as "Case Activated." Will there be any hearing scheduled, and do I need to make additional requests? Also, when will the eviction date be set? What steps should I take if the tenant continues to refuse to vacate the property?

Q: I bought my first UAE property in October in Springs for myself and my partner as a family home. The property has a tenant but a 12-month notice had been served to him to leave in February (the notice reason said for renovation). He had told the old owner and the estate agent he would be open to even leaving earlier. As soon as the sale went through, he went silent. I have messaged to ask for access to the house so I can get a building quote for the works for me to renovate once he moves out which he ignored and has ignored any attempt I have had to call him. Yesterday he filed a Rental Dispute claim against me to extend his lease for another year which is really confusing. I cannot afford to pay the mortgage for the property and live elsewhere. I only bought the house knowing a notice had been served and he was leaving so I could move in myself to start my family.

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. 

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.

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.