Q: 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.

Q: Hello all, I'm renting a villa in the Springs area. Last year, the landlord made an evaluation certificate in March 2023 and 90 days before renewal, the property management company informed me that based on the evaluation certificate, the landlord would increase the price by 20%, I accepted it. Current contract from July 2023 till July 2024, rent value 160,000. In March 2024, I received an email from the landlord (92 days before renewal) that he wanted to increase rent again by 20% and attached the same certificate from March 2023 which has been used for the 2023 contract renewal. The certificate states that validity is 1 year. So when they sent an email with a notification, the certificate was still officially valid. Can the landlord use the evaluation certificate twice to increase property rent in 2023 and then in 2024? Why evaluation certificate is valid for 1 year if the market changes every month? How can I check that the certificate is not "fake"? Can the landlord use a certificate issued in March 2023 to increase the rent for the property, considering that the contract renewal date is in July 2024?

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.

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 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.

This Decree determines the maximum percentage of rent increase for real property in the Emirate of Dubai when renewing lease contracts.