Questions & Answers - Legal Advice Middle East

How can I vacate my tenant if the rental agreement ends before the eviction notice deadline?

Q: My Dubai tenant`s rental agreement is ending by the end of September 2024 and the completion of 12 months of legally served Eviction Notice is the end of December 2024. I have two questions: (a) Can I send a rent increase notice 3 months before as the rent has increased as per the RERA rent calculator? (b) The second question is, do I have to renew the rental agreement for 3 months (until December 2024) or not? Thank you.

The floods damaged my property. Who fixes it and compensates me?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, My property in Dubai was damaged due to floods and is now mostly uninhabitable. The property management/builder is not taking any steps to rectify the situation. Much of the damage occurred because a water pump in the nearby lake (part of the community) failed. If it had not failed, much less water would have entered the property. Who can I raise a dispute with to ensure the builder repairs the property and compensates me for the damage?

The apartment has been sold to a new owner. Is the tenancy agreement still valid?

Q: Hello, This is related to a tenancy contract. I`m staying in an apartment on rent and the lease is about to expire. I had agreed with the owner that I would move out at the end of the lease period. Recently, the apartment was sold and the new owner is saying that my rental agreement with the old owner is null & void (as the owner has changed now), and I`ll have to get into a new agreement with him on exactly the same terms; there`ll be no economic impact on me. Am I legally required to get into a new tenancy contract with the new owner for the remaining term? Do I need to get into that complication?

What options does an expat have when contesting a divorce filed by wife?

Q: Hi, I am an expat living in Abu Dhabi. My wife, who left home 9 months ago and hasn`t returned, has filed for divorce. I am committed to preserving our marriage and need guidance on contesting the divorce case she has filed against me. Can you advise me on my rights and options in this circumstance?

Received a stop the search certificate. Should I submit it to the police to lift travel ban?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I have received a stop the search certificate from Dubai Public Prosecution. Kindly advise if I need to submit the same to the concerned police station or if it will automatically lift the travel ban.

Are there any regulations mandating the landlord to keep the air conditioning on?

Q: Hello, I’m a tenant living in Dubai in a rented apartment. During winter, the air conditioning in common areas and the ground floor lobby of my building is switched off. In summer, they are switched on but limited to 10-14 hours a day. I have written emails to management, but they continue with the same practice. Are there any legal clauses or regulations stating the landlord`s responsibility to keep the air conditioning on?

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How can I make sure I can enter the UAE if I paid my entire pending loan after leaving?

Q: Hi I was in the UAE in 2019 and there was a 25k loan balance. For one and a half years, I did not pay the loan and moved to Qatar. In 2023, I paid the amount in a single shot and the bank sent me an email regarding payment. I`m coming to Dubai on a tourist visa. If the bank filed a case, will I face any problems at the airport? I don’t know if the bank filed a case. I have all the documents regarding loan closures. Is there any problem with coming to the UAE on a tourist visa?

What happens after arrest for drunk driving and involvement in an accident?

Q: Hi, My husband was arrested for drunk driving. He met with an accident. He was held at the police station for two days. Now, they plan to transfer him to central jail for seven days, pending his blood report. What happens next? I`m really worried.

Which law, UAE or UK, would be better for divorce and a fair split of costs for children?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, My brother, who is British, is seeking a divorce lawyer. His wife, also British, refuses to divorce him. They were married in a church in Jebel Ali, Dubai, and it has been 4 years since. She does not work, and he covers 100% of the expenses. She aims to trap him to avoid returning to work, and her family possesses evidence of mental health issues. She refuses to undergo a medical test due to fears of losing custody. He is seeking someone to represent him and advise on whether UAE divorce law or UK law would be better, considering a fair split of costs for their two children.

Will you get detained at Dubai Airport if you have a case and have transit with the same airlines?

Q: We would like to thank all participants for their invaluable input. We have a very specific question regarding connecting through Dubai in case of a probable court case/police case in the UAE. Does it make a difference if connecting from an Emirates flight to another Emirates flight without passing through immigration as opposed to connecting between different airlines in which case there is a possibility of passing through immigration, especially between different terminals? We would appreciate a clear and specific answer to this pertinent question. Thank you

Does a UAE golden visa holder need permits for remote IT consulting to overseas clients?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Does a UAE golden visa holder need a work permit, trade license, or freelance permit to remotely provide IT consulting to clients outside the UAE, while residing in the UAE, and receiving payments in a non-UAE bank account?

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Does construction and lower rent in my building justify refusing a rent increase?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, The landlord is increasing the rent by 15% this year, 17% last year, and also 17% the year before. I refused and told her it’s not fair; a 5% increase is reasonable due to the 1-year non-functional swimming pool and the construction area around it. It has been ongoing since last year without completion (the entire area and swimming pool have been broken since last year) due to a court case between the management and the developer. The index shows a 15% increase in the same area, but the rent in my building is much less than that. Does the ongoing construction work, which has not been finished for a year now and may never be finished as long as the court case is open, matter? And do the prices of similar units in my building count? Thank you in advance for your reply!

Can I get a UAE visa if I've had a communicable disease but received treatment?

Q: Can I get a UAE visa if I`ve had syphilis but received treatment? Adequately treated with one dose of Benzathine Penicillin in 2020. No longer infectious. However, residual serology may remain positive (result: non-reactive). Should I certify the medical report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in my country? Please advise me accordingly. Best regards

Can I ask the RDC for an extension after the owner filed enforcement to vacate?

Q: Hello, The owner filed enforcement to vacate (after appeal rejection), can I ask the RDC for an extension? If yes, how many days can the judge approve? In case the judge approves an extension, will all legal actions be also stopped? e.g. ban on travel.

Apartment's chiller connected to my DEWA, despite being told it's chiller-free. What now?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I recently signed a rental contract based on the agent`s confirmation that the apartment is chiller-free. While I had a WhatsApp conversation confirming this, it was not mentioned in the contract because the agent claimed it was not a standard practice. However, I have now discovered that the chiller is connected to my DEWA. I agreed to rent the apartment for AED 66,500 instead of AED 60,000 because the agent assured me that there would be no additional cost for the chiller. What options do I have now?

What should I expect if I am delayed in paying a debt for an online shopping company in the UAE?

Q: Hi I have a debt for an online shopping company in the UAE of around AED 2800 and they have informed me that it is a clear violation of the UAE Civil Transaction Law (5)1985. I`m trying my best to pay the amount but I want to know about this law sentence and what will happen if I get delayed in paying.