Q: Good day, I have given a cheque amounting to the full rent value for 1 year as per my landlord's requirement. I just renewed my contract for the 2nd time, however, I am requesting for an early termination due to the transfer of my work location. But the landlord says I cannot refund the remaining rent amount even after 2-months notice which is about 7 months and the amount is more or less AED29,000+.

Q: Hi, My rental contract expires in December 2016, however, since I can't afford the rent I am giving my two months notice to vacate the place by September 2016 paying 2 months rent. However, the landlord tells me that I can't stay in the place during my notice period and I still have to pay rent for 2 months. Please advise.

Q: Sir, I have released 7 post dated cheques for house renting on January 12. January 15 is the date of the 1st cheque which is valued 9k. But on January 15, my bank froze my account because my company terminated me. So I told them to not withdraw the cheque coz I got no money in it and I'm cancelling that property. When I asked them I need to collect my cheque, they told me I cannot. Not unless I pay them 9000. Do they have the right to do this? I am in a deep problem as they filed a case against me regarding this. So, I want to know. Thank you.

Q: I rented a villa in Abu Dhabi for a few years with the lease term till October and now as I bought my own apartment I sent a notice to the Landlord that I am going to vacate his villa in July. He came back to me saying that he is not accepting my request. What are my options?   

Q: Dear sir/madam, My tenancy contract expires on 17.07. 2020. On 22.12.2019, I emailed the owner with a termination of the contract to be on 31.03.2020. The contract says: The Lessee may terminate Contract and vacate Premises following the Labor's written consent and upon Lessee agreeing the following: (a) Provide at least two months written notice to the Lessor prior to the expiry of the Term of its intention to vacate the Premises where such notice once served cannot be retracted unless the Lessor provides its written consent; (b) Settlement of the Lessors administration fee currently in force for breaking the Contract prior to the expiry of the Term, subject to the Lessor's approval. The Lessor is not obliged to refund to the Lessee any difference in rent in case of an early break of the Contract. The owner says that this notice period is applicable only to non-renewal, not early termination so either to pay penalty or complete till 16.07.2020. Is this true? Is there a limit to the penalty to 2 or 3 months or can they ask for more?

Q: Hi, I signed a lease contract for a villa in Dubai with start date Nov 1st. Paid 5% deposit to the landlord and a 5% fee to the real estate agent. Now, as we start discussing details about the move, we are not happy with how the landlord is discussing some small terms. They are not major issues that would allow us to legally terminate the contract but small things that do not give us the confidence that our life would be easy with them in the future. Therefore, we would like to cancel such lease contract with start date Nov 1st. Question is what would be the consequences of such termination? Considering that the contract has not yet started, could we just cancel it now without any penalty and getting our deposit back?

Q: Dear Questioner, I signed a rental contract. Two days later, my circumstances changed, requiring me to cancel the contract. This was still 15 days before the move-in date. I had not received the keys, and the flat was not yet ready. Unfortunately, the agent insisted that the first payment be made by direct transfer, not a cheque. Since I canceled, they have emailed to acknowledge the cancellation, but I haven't heard anything since. There is a two-month penalty written into the contract, so I am waiting for the returned cheques and the rest of the rent (minus the two-month penalty) to be returned. Is there a mandatory timeframe for this to be completed? Three weeks have passed since their acknowledgment. Thanks in advance!

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.

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.