UAE Legal Resources - Legal Advice Middle East

Can a new landlord impose a rent increase that is higher than the RERA index?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, My tenancy contract will expire in 4 months. I was just informed that the apartment has been sold to a new landlord. The new landlord wants to impose a 15% rent increase upon renewal, even though the RERA index calculated a 5% increase. If there has been a transfer of ownership, can a new landlord impose any rent increase they wish? Or should they still comply with the RERA calculator? Imposing a big jump in rent increase could mean that new landlords can indirectly "evict" tenants with very little notice if they can`t afford the newly imposed rent.

RERA index vs rent valuation certificate: Which one prevails for rent renewal?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Would you clarify whether the Rent Valuation Certificate supersedes RERA`s Index for the rent renewal contract process? My tenancy contract is dated 05.10.2023 for renewal. I agreed to increase the rent according to RERA`s Index and sent him the RERA index calculation certificate, which shows a 5% increase. However, he replied that, according to Law 43 of the year 2013, the rental index is not the sole reference for the benchmark rent that you have shared. According to the law, he can request a rent evaluation certificate for this apartment, which is currently 20% higher than my rent. Therefore, the rent will now have to be according to the Rent Valuation Certificate. I proposed to him to increase the rent by 7.5% instead of the 5% calculated by the RERA calculator. However, he insists on a 20% increase.

Eviction failed, can I still increase rent?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, As a landlord, I did not send a rent increase notice 90 days before the contract ended because I had filed for eviction of the tenant on certain grounds and was awaiting a verdict. The court ruled against my plea and allowed the tenant to continue. Will the rent increase notice be valid if I send it immediately after the verdict is passed, which is about 80 days before the contract comes up for renewal?

How to get a refund from a migration consultancy in Dubai?

Q: Hello respectful Sir/Madam I applied for migration to Poland through a consultancy in Dubai on December 28, 2022. They said I would get a work permit within 60 days, but it has been more than 6 months. I now need my deposited amount back, but they are saying to mail customer care. I have receipts for payment and a fake offer letter. Can you please suggest how I can get a refund legally?

Can I enter the UAE without getting arrested if I have a pending credit card debt?

Q: I left Dubai in 2017 with a credit card debt of AED 40,000 left due to illness. Since then, I`ve been attempting to negotiate a payment plan with the bank. However, they consistently reject my offers and insist on full payment in one lump sum. I have repeatedly asked for documentation and proof of the debt but in the last 6 years, the bank has failed to provide any proof or documentation. I check regularly and no police report has been filed against me. Recently, I was notified by the bank that they have lost my security cheque and therefore cannot file a police report. Is this true? What implications does this have on my UAE status? Can I safely enter the UAE without the risk of arrest?

Is it worth filing a case for compensation if the landlord evicted me and did not sell?

Q: My landlord has asked us for a 33% rent increase and I responded by informing him that according to Dubai law, the maximum rental increase he can impose on me is 20%. He then replied back and gave me 24 hours to respond and agree to the 33%, or else he will evict me (all communications have been done through email). 2 days later, I received a 12 months eviction notice through the notary. The eviction said it was for the reason of selling his property. Fast forward, I moved out at the end of the 12 months. Then less than 2 months later (48 days later), he rented the property to another tenant for a higher price (I have managed to obtain a copy of the Ejari of the new tenant). My question is: Is it worth it to go to the RDC and file a case? Or is this a gray area in the Dubai rental law, and there is a chance that the judge won`t order the landlord to pay any compensation? Please let me know what is the success probability here.

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Can I leave the country during my notice period ?

Q: Hi Sir/Madam, I am in my notice period at my current company. I have tendered my notice. Eid holidays are also within my notice period. If I leave the country for a short visit during Eid, am I breaching my notice period? Can my employer object?

The notice period the landlord needs to provide for eviction to renovate a villa

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I have a question about rental renewal and would appreciate your response. The landlord did not give us any notice of rent increase or renewal before the 90-day expiration of the contract. However, I gave the landlord written intent-to-renew notice by email before 60 days of the rental expiration. They explained on the phone that they would like to renovate the villa and therefore will not be renewing the rental contract. Can you please confirm what is the minimum notice period that the landlord needs to provide for eviction if they want to renovate the villa? And can they refuse to renew the contract even though they did not serve the notice 90 days before the expiration of the contract?

How to lift ban on entry to UAE after medical unfit?

Q: Assalam Alaikum I was residing in Dubai, married, and living with my husband. I did my medical for an employment visa, but unfortunately, my medical report was unfit due to an old TB scar. If I leave the country now, the Dubai government will impose a ban on me. Since I want to live with my husband and he is ready to sponsor a visa for me, is there any legal way that I can stay in Dubai with the government`s permission and not get banned for one year or a lifetime? Now, I have left the country and I am in my hometown (India). What is the procedure to come back to the UAE again? Can the ban be lifted? Kindly help me to resolve this issue as we both are new to the country and no one is guiding us properly. We are very helpless. Please, it`s a request. I will wait for your reply.

What can I do if I am being physically abused by my family?

Q: Hello, I’m a 20-year-old (soon to be 21) Emirati university student, and I’ve been horribly abused by my brother for decades. My father passed away not long ago, I have a half-brother but he’s also a bad person and my 2nd brother is very abusive. I live with him and my mother and my mother doesn’t seem to care about me getting abused physically, emotionally, and psychologically. I called the police on him 2 times before and all they said was to go to the hospital and get a report. They didn’t do anything else to help. I eventually went and got a report. But my mother is threatening me if I ever report him. I don’t know what to do, I get 20K dirhams monthly because I was still underage when my dad died. But my brother and mother are not getting anything and they’re eating my money. I was thinking of moving out, but I’m not sure if it’s legal for me because of the Sharia law. Please help me I can’t stay here any longer. If I don’t leave, I will take my own life.

A friend borrowed money and won't pay back. What to do?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I lent Dh35,000 to a friend in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when he was under financial stress. Now, when I ask him to repay the loan, he either does not pick up my calls or tells me that he is still not in a position to return the money. I also have a husband and the money is important to me. What can I do to get my money back? I have WhatsApp conversations and some remittance receipts from when he asked me for the money. I paid him in cash. Can I file a police complaint? Is there any other way to get my money back? I don`t want to get him in trouble, but I also really need him to return my money. What should I do?

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What to do if the visa of my husband is rejected after visiting the UAE without problem?

Q: Salam Ma`am/Sir Me, my husband and my 3-year-old daughter visited the UAE in April 2023 for two months on a visa that was valid till May 30. Then we further extended our stay for a month on May 30. But on June 3, my husband`s sister died and he left the country. We are here now, and I applied again for his visit visa but rejection came. What`s the problem? What should I do? Even the travel agent is not responding to me clearly

How to apply for Abu Dhabi PCC from Australia without Emirates ID?

Q: Hi, I need a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) from Abu Dhabi, as that is the only one that can be attested here in Australia. I have appealed for attestation on my Dubai PCC many times, but it cannot be attested as it is electronic. I need your help as I need it urgently for my security license in Australia. The Abu Dhabi PCC app does not allow me to submit without an Emirates ID. After I get my fingerprints card attested, how do I apply for an Abu Dhabi PCC?

Employer asking to pay recruitment fees after 5 months of work: Is this legal?

Q: Hi! I have been working at a school in the UAE for 5 months now. I have submitted my resignation, and my employer is asking me to pay recruitment fees as part of my final settlement. Is this legal, even if I am serving my notice period? In my offer letter, my probation period is stated as one month, but in my contract, it is stated as six months. How do I file a complaint? Thank you!

Can we get out of a real estate contract if the agent lied about the property?

Q: Hello, We signed a Form F to purchase an apartment, but later, we discovered that the real estate agent lied about the apartment`s amenities. We were not allowed to view the apartment before signing because we were told it was rented out on a short-term basis, which we have proof was a lie. The apartment has many issues that were not disclosed to us. What are our chances of getting the contract canceled without penalty?

Does the company have to pay the end-of-service benefits immediately after visa cancellation?

Q: Does the company have to pay the end-of-service benefits immediately after visa cancellation? Or do I need to provide proof of leaving the country after cancellation to get my end-of-service benefits?

Self-help