Questions & Answers
Landlord cashed my rent but won’t renew Ejari unless I accept a higher deposit. What should I do?
Hello,
I had a rental dispute case with my landlord. Based on the judgment, I paid the entire rent to the landlord, which the landlord has already cashed.
He is not issuing the Ejari because he wants to increase the security deposit by 10% every year, which I am not accepting. I have already given the 5% security deposit.
The landlord is not accepting it. He is forcing me to sign a new agreement, otherwise he will not renew the lease agreement.
Please let me know what I should do.
Hello Questioner,
Thank you for sharing the details of your rental dispute!
Based on Dubai’s tenancy laws, your landlord cannot legally demand an annual increase in the security deposit beyond the standard 5% for residential properties.
Refusing to renew your lease or register Ejari unless you accept these new terms is a violation of your rights as a tenant.
You have the right to:
- Insist on lease renewal under the same terms as your previous contract.
- Demand immediate Ejari registration once you’ve paid the agreed rent and deposit.
- File a complaint with the Dubai Land Department’s Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC) if your landlord continues to refuse.
I can assist you with:
- Drafting formal communications to your landlord.
- Preparing and filing a complaint with the RDSC.
- Representing you throughout the dispute resolution process to ensure your rights are fully protected.
If you’d like to proceed or need a consultation to discuss your case in detail, please let me know. I’m here to help you resolve this matter quickly and effectively.
Best regards,
Hello,
Since you already settled the rental dispute and paid the full rent as per the court judgment, which the landlord has accepted and cashed, he is legally obligated to renew the tenancy and issue the Ejari without imposing unreasonable conditions.
In the UAE (particularly in Dubai), landlords cannot arbitrarily change lease terms, such as increasing the security deposit beyond what is customary (typically 5%), unless mutually agreed.
Forcing a tenant to sign a new agreement with unfavorable terms, like increasing the security deposit to 10% annually, as a condition for lease renewal, may be considered a violation of rental regulations under the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA).
Dear questioner,
We need to file a case for getting a new Ejari, and make it accepted through the RDC with no increase.
Dear Inquirer,
If the landlord is refusing to issue the Ejari and is demanding an additional security deposit beyond what was initially agreed, this is not legally justified without your consent.
The security deposit terms should follow the original lease agreement or court ruling. You have the right to refuse unreasonable demands and not sign a new contract under pressure.
To resolve this issue effectively and protect your rights, we recommend seeking legal assistance. You can book a consultation or authorize our office to handle the matter on your behalf.
Dear Questioner,
Thank you for reaching out regarding your tenancy issue!
Based on the information you've shared, it appears that your landlord’s demand for an increased security deposit and refusal to issue the Ejari may be in violation of Dubai’s Tenancy Laws.
Under current regulations, a landlord cannot unilaterally amend the lease terms, such as increasing the security deposit, without your agreement, especially if no written notice was given at least 90 days prior to the contract's expiry.
Additionally, issuing the Ejari is a legal obligation, and withholding it is not permissible. You may be entitled to file a complaint with the Dubai Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC) to assert your rights.
To better assess your case and provide tailored legal advice, we recommend scheduling a consultation where we can review your tenancy contract, payment records, and any correspondence with the landlord.
Please let us know a convenient time, and we will be happy to assist you further.
Kind regards,
Demanding a 10% security deposit every year is not standard practice and is likely not legally enforceable under Dubai's rental laws.
The initial 5% security deposit is the norm. Once a court judgment has been satisfied (and you've paid the rent as ordered), the landlord has a legal obligation to renew the Ejari under the existing terms (unless there are legally permissible grounds for rent increase, which isn't the case here).
You have the right to demand that the landlord fulfill their legal obligation to issue the renewed Ejari based on the court's judgment, which you have already complied with.
We will let you know the procedures to be undertaken in detail.
Kindly share your WhatsApp number to discuss further.
Dear Questioner,
Thank you for your message!
Based on the situation you’ve described, you have already complied with the court judgment and paid the rent in full, which the landlord has accepted. However, the landlord is now:
- Refusing to issue the Ejari, and
- Demanding an annual increase in the security deposit (10%), which is not supported by law unless mutually agreed.
Please note the following:
Under Dubai Rental Law, landlords are not permitted to impose new conditions unilaterally after a rental dispute judgment and payment compliance.
The Ejari registration is a legal obligation, and a landlord cannot withhold it as a form of pressure.
You are not legally required to accept a higher security deposit unless it is part of a mutual agreement.
The landlord also cannot refuse lease renewal arbitrarily if you are meeting your contractual obligations and have not been served a proper 12-month eviction notice via a notary public or registered mail.
Recommended Action:
You may file a new complaint with the Dubai Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC) regarding:
- The landlord’s refusal to issue Ejari;
- Unlawful demand for increased deposit; and
- Threat to withhold lease renewal unless new terms are signed.
We are available to assist you in preparing and filing the complaint and representing you throughout the process.
Please let me know if you would like to schedule a consultation.
Best regards,
Mohammed Salah
Legal Consultant
Thank you for your message!
From the situation you described, it appears the landlord is trying to impose unilateral terms that are not part of the original agreement or permitted by law.
Under Dubai tenancy laws, the renewal of a lease must be on the same terms unless both parties agree otherwise, and the Rental Dispute Centre (RDC) does not recognize excessive or arbitrary demands such as annual increases in the security deposit unless contractually agreed or justified.
Since you have already complied with the judgment and paid all rent dues, the landlord is legally obligated to issue the Ejari and renew the lease without imposing unlawful conditions. Refusing to do so may amount to a breach and could be challenged.
I recommend that we formally serve a legal notice to the landlord and, if necessary, file a renewal or enforcement claim before the RDC to secure your tenancy rights and prevent exploitation.
To proceed, I would need to review the original lease agreement, judgment, and communication with the landlord. Please contact me directly to take this forward.
You may reach me via WhatsApp or call at [---------------] to discuss further and book a consultation.
Best regards,
Suhail Rana
Advocate & Legal Consultant
Do not sign any document other than the lease contract, and you must refuse any increase imposed by the landlord.
If you have any other questions, contact us at [-------------] so we can assist you.
