Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allHow to act with tenant who ignores the calls to renew expired tenancy contact?

2
Q: Hi,
I am an apartment owner in Dubai and I agreed with the tenant by phone to renew the tenancy contract for another year.
Now the contract has expired and the tenant is not responding to emails and phones to sign the renewal of the contract.
I left a note on the apartment door but no reply. What can we do in such a case and where can we raise the dispute?


Nov 25, 2021
647
How 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
263
The tenant refuses to give rental cheques to the agent or pay the renewal fee as per the contract. What to do?




0
Q: The tenant refuses to give rental cheques to the agent or pay the renewal fee specified in the contract. He is forcing the landlord to directly renew the agreement without any agent in between, and the landlord is uncomfortable dealing with him directly.
The tenant submitted a renewal contract in RDC with an offer and deposit case with modified terms and conditions, and removed the addendum, which is an integral part of the existing contract.
Parallelly, he submitted an Ejari request to the landlord for approval. The landlord rejected his offer and deposit request at the RDC portal due to non-compliance with the existing contract.
Accordingly, his Ejari request was also rejected. Since then, the tenant has not approached the landlord for renewal. The landlord is willing to renew the contract without any change in the existing contract and addendum.
How can the landlord secure the renewal cheques and conclude the contract?
Can he ask the tenant to vacate the apartment?
Please advise





+2
Mar 25, 2025
93
Legal blog
2 available 2 • View allProcedures 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
21434
What 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
3994
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
24351
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
25072
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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كيف يمكنني الاستعلام عن قضية إبعاد أمني ومحاولة العودة إلى الإمارات؟ 0
السلام عليكم،
أود الاستفسار بشأن قضية إبعاد زوج خالتي من دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة. زوج خالتي كان مقيماً في الإمارات وكان قد وُلد وترعرع هناك.
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كيف يمكنني الاستعلام عن قضية إبعاد أمني ومحاولة العودة إلى الإمارات؟ 0
السلام عليكم،
أود الاستفسار بشأن قضية إبعاد زوج خالتي من دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة. زوج خالتي كان مقيماً في الإمارات وكان قد وُلد وترعرع هناك.
في عام 2013 تم إبعاده من الإمارات، وكان ذلك نتيجة لسياسات حكومية كانت تستهدف مجموعة من المقيمين في تلك الفترة، وهو لم يكن قد ارتكب أي مخالفة في ذلك الوقت وكان يُعتبر ضحية للسياسات المتبعة.
أرغب في معرفة الإجراءات التي يجب أن أتبعها حالياً من أجل رفع هذا الإبعاد وتمكينه من العودة إلى الإمارات.
أرجو أن توضح لي كيف يمكنني مساعدته في هذا الموضوع.
شكراً جزيلاً.
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Can the employer force the housmaid to work for unlimited hours without rest? 0
Hi
I'm a nanny, and at the same time, I work as a housemaid (khadama) here in the house. I work, but as I know, the nannies and housemaids have different rights, and my employer doesn't give me rest.
My work starts at 7:30 am and then finishes at 10 pm or less. It depends on whether the baby is asleep or what time they will take on me if not yet asleep. Is this right?
Also, at the time of eating, I'm still working because the baby is with me, so I just let her sit in her chair. That's how I eat.
Please answer me. I want to know my rights.
Because if I can leave during the 6-month probation, I want to take it if the employer is this kind. I don't know.
They are also expats, but they don't follow the rules of the UAE regarding a housemaid.
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The HR has instructed the finance team not to do so because I had contacted one of their clients.
In my DMCC contract, there is no Non-Compete clause, but the offer letter has one, and now they are not releasing the end-of-service.
Is this legal? What are my rights?
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Hello,
I have multiple cheque execution cases filed against me due to financial strains last year.
My trade license and visa will expire next month, along with my Emirates ID.
Is it possible for me to renew my license and visa along with EID prior to settling the execution cases?
The trade license and visa were issued by the free zone authority.
I look forward to your response.
Thanks.
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How to file a case against my former company for unpaid salary I was not on their visa? 0
Dear Legal Advice Middle East,
I hope you are well.
I am seeking legal advice regarding an unpaid salary issue with my former employer, [-----]2 LLC. I was employed with them from December 4, 2024, to January 7, 2025, on a monthly salary of 5,000 AED.
However, I only received a partial payment of 2,473 AED on February 24, 2025. The remaining 2,527 AED is still unpaid.
I submitted a complaint to MOHRE on March 2, 2025, but I am unable to proceed further through their official channels.
This is because I was working under the visa of my previous employer, [---] LLC, and not under [----]’s sponsorship.
As a result, I do not meet the criteria to file a labor complaint via the MOHRE app or hotline.
Given this situation, I would appreciate your guidance on how I can legally pursue the recovery of my remaining salary, considering the complications related to my visa status during the employment.
Apr 30, 2025
25
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