Questions & Answers - Legal Advice Middle East

Do you need to change the landlord on tenancy contract upon selling the property?

Q: Good morning, If a property is sold with an active tenancy contract (with a legal eviction notice), does the landlord`s name need to be changed with an addendum or new contract? Does no new information need to be provided? I look forward to your reply. M.

حجز جواز السفر وعدم توفير عمل بعد مرور أشهر على توقيع العرض

س: السلام عليكم ورحمة الله، وقعت على عرض عمل مع شركة في دبي بتاريخ 07/2022. مر أكثر من 6 أشهر ولم يوفروا لي العمل. حاليًا لم يتبقى لدي مالاً لأصرف على نفسي. حالتي الصحية في تدهور. عندما طالبت بجواز السفر، الشركة قالت أنه يجب على الوسيط الموافقة أولاً وبعد ذلك نسلمك الجواز. الوسيط قال أنه يريد المقابل، مع العلم اني دفعت له 2500 درهم إماراتي مسبقًا. ذهبت إلى المحكمة للإبلاغ عن حجز الجواز. أصدرت المحكمة أمرًا بتسليم الجواز لصاحبه، لكن مركز الشرطة المعني بالأمر بدلاً من تنفيد أوامر المحكمة بكاملها اكتفوا فقط بالاتصال بالوسيط والأخير يقول أنه سيسلم الجواز لصاحبه، ولكن إلى الآن لم يفعل. وكإجراء بديل، حرروا لي بلاغ فقدان جواز السفر في مركز الشرطة لأجدده في السفارة. السؤال: هل يمكنني اتباع هذا الإجراء أم تترتب عواقب على هذا النوع من الإجراءات؟ وماذا أفعل لأحصل على الجواز بطريقة قانونية؟ شكرًا جزيلاً!

When would a notice period begin upon resignation rejection?

Q: Good day, I am currently under a 2-year limited contract in Dubai, which began on March 17, 2022. I submitted my resignation on January 15, 2023, due to personal reasons, as I need to return to my home country. My employer replied on the same day that my resignation has been rejected. I will be serving my 2-month notice period, which will end on March 14, 2023, as stated in my resignation letter. I have also requested to have at least 10 days removed from my notice period, which can be deducted from my remaining leave credits. As of today, I have not received any update regarding my resignation, except for my direct manager replying to the rejection email from our HR department. - When will my notice period start? - Will I be liable to pay early termination compensation to my employer even if I serve my notice period? - Will I be entitled to a 1-year gratuity, since my resignation has not been acknowledged until now, and my notice period will end around my 1st year in the company? Kindly advise. Thank you!

Can the landlord serve me eviction notice to rent the villa higher than RERA Index?

Q: Good morning, I`ve been renting a villa on an annual lease since 1st March 2021. In November 2021 (90 days` notice), the landlord informed me that he would be increasing the rent by just over 20%. This was above the RERA rental calculator but we talked and agreed on 10%. In November 2022, I received an email stating that he would be raising the rent by 33%. Nearly 50% in 2 years. We`ve talked again but cannot reach an agreement. The RERA calculator states no increase allowable. I have now been told that he will be selling the property and received a recorded delivery (12-month) notice of eviction dated November 25th, 2022. 1. Law 33, 2008 states that the 12-month notice should be given upon expiry of the lease. Should the contract be renewed for one more year from 1st March 2023 to 29th Feb 2024? 2. Should evidence be provided to corroborate the intention to sell the property? 3. What rights do I have to ensure that the property is indeed being sold and not re-let at the higher rent?

What to do in case of issuing cheques to a friend for rent and is not paying the amount?

Q: Hi Ms. Jennifer, My friend in Dubai opened her dance studio in Karama & requested me to give her 4 cheques in my name as they had some issues opening an account. She assured me that every alternative month before the due date of the cheque she would deposit the said amount in my account. The 1st cheque was on 10 Nov 2022, for which she put the amount in my account. On 10 Jan 2023 was the 2nd cheque & this time she did not put the money in my account, I borrowed money from my known sources to avoid the cheque bounce case. It has been 13 days now & she has still not deposited my money in the account. How can I get out of this situation? I want to take back my 2 pending cheques from the landlord as the class does not belong to me, I just helped on humanitarian grounds & this is what I got in return. I have been messaging her pleading with her to deposit the money in my account but she has been giving me excuses. Please guide & help me.

Tenant's residency visa renewal while the landlord filed a case against him/her

Q: Good day! My landlord is filing a case against me today. I have my visa renewal this month. Can this case affect my visa renewal process? I applied for a police clearance letter a few days ago, it was approved and I have it. I hope this case won`t affect my visa renewal. Please, I need some advice!

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How to claim the refund from an immigration agency after failing to fulfill obligation?

Q: I approached an immigration consultancy in Dubai for a Canada work permit, we signed an agreement and I paid AED 28,600. The agreement said if the company doesn`t process my work permit within 6 - 8 months, I will be entitled to a full refund within 90 working days. The company defaulted on the processing time and I requested and signed a refund document with the company stating that a "refund will be given within 90 working days". From the look of things, the company isn`t willing to refund the money after 90 working days. In this case, what should I do or where should I complain to get my money back from the company ASAP? Note: my visa will expire on February 24, 2023, and the 90 working days for the company to refund me will end on February 04, 2023. Thanks for your assistance.

The landlord is insisting on a 70% rent increase or eviction. What to do?

Q: Dear Lawyers, My landlord gave me a court-notarized eviction order to sell the apartment. However, the landlord has not sold the apartment yet and the notice expiration date has passed. He offered me to stay, but only if I agreed to a 70% increase in rent, despite the RERA index showing a 0% increase. I made an offer and deposited it in RDC, and the judge ruled in my favor to renew my lease on the same terms for one year. I sent this ruling to the landlord and confirmed that the cheques for rent are ready for collection. However, the landlord is now threatening me with legal action, forced eviction, penalties, and damages. Can the landlord still evict me without selling the apartment, despite the RDC`s order for a renewal on the same terms?

Selling a property co-owned by grandparents after grandmother passed away

Q: Hi, I need some advice regarding an inheritance matter. My grandfather and grandmother are Muslims. They lived in London but co-owned property in Dubai. My grandmother passed away without a will. My grandfather wants to bring her half of the property shares under his name so the new title deed only has his name on it so he can sell it. The documents I have are: - POA from my grandfather (attested). - Grandmother`s death certificate (attested). - Passport copies for all heirs. What other documents do I require? Or is this enough to go through inheritance court and sell? Kind Regards,

حالات وقوع بطلان في الحكم

س: السلام عليكم، ما حالات وقوع بطلان في الحكم أو الإجراءات بحيث يؤثر في الحكم؟

إمكانية رفع دعوى رؤية مرة أخرى بعد الفصل فيها في إمارة مختلفة

س: السلام عليكم، هل يجوز رفع دعوى رؤية ثانية في محاكم دبي؟ مع العلم أنه توجد دعوى رؤية مفصول فيها سابقًا في محكمة عجمان بحكم الاستئناف. هل يعتبر الطرد من منزل الزوجية المثبت بالمستندات ضررًا يقنع الحكمين بالتطليق للضرر؟

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What should I do if I am unable to pay the overstay fine?

Q: Hello, I am a British citizen and have overstayed well over 6 months in Dubai now. I can’t afford to pay my fine to exit the country. I also don’t want an exit pass as that would mean a travel ban for life. Are there any options for me? Thank you! Kind Regards,

How long to wait for the MOHRE contract after signing the offer letter?

Q: Hello, I have got an offer letter from a company but I didn`t sign it. They asked me for my passport, photo, and certificate. Now, they say that it was not the original offer letter and they have sent the offer letter for MOHRE`s approval so I have to wait until the approval, and then only I can sign the contract. So how long should I wait for the MOHRE contract after the offer letter? Should I look for another company? I have got an offer from another company too. My visa validity will expire in the coming month.

تتقديم طلب أداء بعد مضي 3 سنوات على الحكم الجزائي

س: السلام عليكم، عندي شيك مرتجع من شركة ذات مسؤولية محدودة. صدر حكم جزائي ضد مدير الشركة غيابيًا؛ حيث أنه خرج خروجًا نهائيًا من الدولة. هل أستطيع تقدبم طلب أداء بعد مضي ٣ سنوات على الحكم الجزائي؟ وهل يجوز تضمين أصحاب الرخصة؟

صاحب المنزل يرفض تجديد الإيجار بعد إرسال إنذار بالإخلاء قبل 8 أشهر

س: السلام عليكم، أرسل صاحب المنزل إنذارًا بالإخلاء لغرض الاستخدام الشخصي بعد مرور 4 أشهر من تاريخ تجديد عقد الإيجار السنوي. بعد 8 أشهر انتهى العقد الحالي ورفض التجديد بحجة وجود إنذار بالإخلاء بالرغم من عدم مرور 12 شهرًا من تاريخ الإنذار. ما التصرف القانوني الذي يجب أن أتبعه في هذه الحالة؟

مغادرة الإمارات رغم وجود غرامات إقامة واجبة الدفع

س: السلام عليكم، لدي مخالفات فيزا في الإمارات ولا أستطيع دفع الغرامات. أنا لست مقتدرة ماديًا وأريد مغادرة البلد. كيف تُحل هذه المشكلة؟