UAE Legal Resources - Legal Advice Middle East

Can I increase the rent more than the RERA calculator shows?

Q: Hello, I`m a new landlord and the apartment has tenants. Their contract expires at the end of June. Can I increase the rent more than the RERA calculator shows? Because the market price for the rent now is more than 40%. Please help me with some advice. Thank you!

How to claim unpaid rent from a service agent to manage holiday home services for our apartment?

Q: We appointed a service agent to manage holiday home services for our apartment in Dubai. The agent completed all legal formalities with Dubai Economy and Tourism and commenced operations. However, the agent defaulted on the AED 50,000 payment of the app., and their offices are now closed. We got the mobile numbers of the agent’s officials. We believe we can also make the following compensation claims: 1. for our opportunity cost. 2. for the mental distress we endured. 3. For administrative costs incurred while chasing the agent, preparing claims, filing a complaint to DET, and related activities. We complained to DET, but it was closed as DET found the agent`s office was shut. DET advised us to pursue any suitable legal action. Accordingly, we have the questions on the following matters: 1. What are the appropriate steps to recover our legal entitlements? 2. What is the procedure for claiming the legal and associated costs from the defendant?

A cheque has passed its due date by over a year. What options do I have?

Q: Hello, I have a cheque from someone, but it has passed its due date, and I did not take it to the bank. It has been more than a year now. What options do I have? Can I take it to the bank, and if it bounces, can I file an execution, or do I have to file a civil claim? If a civil claim, on what grounds can it be?

How can I remove a travel ban and fine in a criminal case to go to my home country?

Q: Hi. I am having an ongoing civil case in Sharjah. I need to travel to India because my father passed away yesterday. Therefore to do the last rites, I really have to travel to my home country. But the problem I am facing is that I have a pending fine to be paid in the criminal court which is 100,000 with which I have a travel ban. I have done nothing wrong to the company that I was working for but I still have gone through so much such as being put in jail for 8 days, not renewing my visa, and taking money from my account. I haven`t worked for the last 2 years and all my savings that I had in this country were all put to run the case. Could anyone let me know if there is any possibility to reduce the fine imposed on me? Thank you.

Can I file a payment dispute while my trade license is frozen but not closed?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, Can I file a payment dispute case against a company I supplied items to while my trade license is frozen but not closed?

How is the start date of work calculated in case of disagreement with the employer upong resignation?

Q: Hello, I started working remotely and signed an offer letter in April 2023. As I was transitioning from another job, my offer letter said that I would work part-time in April, and I started working full-time on May 10, 23`. I landed in Dubai and got my employment visa and contract when I landed in July, although my offer letter was signed in April and I`ve been working since then. Now, I`m resigning, but my employer is calculating my annual leave and gratuity pay from July 23` (to avoid paying my gratuity pay and deduct fewer annual leave days from my notice period). Should my start date be counted from April 2023, since I started working in April, or from July? They say that my April-July remote work qualified as freelance work, but we never ever discussed or put in writing any freelance contract. Thank you, P.

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Is a new tenancy contract required if there are a few months left until the end of eviction notice?

Q: I was served an eviction notice in November 2023. The contract terminates in August 2024. Do I need to sign a new contract for 3 months or will it automatically renew until November 2024? Do I have to pay the agent again for this contract?

Given the expired lease and invalid eviction notice, can I stay and continue to pay rent?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, My landlord gave me notice on plain paper last year when the lease was renewed. He wrote two reasons for eviction: one that he may sell the property and the other that he may move in. The eviction letter was signed by him only, but the property has two owners (husband and wife). This year, when he asked me to vacate the property, I informed him that, according to the RDC, the notice needs to be from a notary public or sent via registered mail. I then submitted an Offer and Deposit with the RDC, but the landlord didn`t respond. The lease expired on May 10th. The landlord hasn`t followed up with anything so far. According to RERA, the rental contract is automatically renewed unless terminated by the courts (for non-payment, eviction, etc.). What course of action should I take now? Should I send an email to the landlord with the cheques, mentioning they are ready since I already submitted the Offer and Deposit, or should I file a case? Or should I wait for the landlord to approach me or file a case?

My employer sent me an email of termination with garden leave. How to ensure to get paid?

Q: My employer sent me an email of termination and told me I don`t need to attend the notice period (1 month). Does that legally spare him from paying me the full salary disclosed in the contract for my notice period? If not, how do I get evidence from the labor ministry that I haven`t been paid for my notice month when I submit a complaint?

Is an eviction notice issued in September 2023 valid if the tenancy ends in January 2025?

Q: Hi there, I`m a broker and have a client who wants me to list his property. The landlord served a 12-month notice in September 2023, but the tenancy agreement is valid until January 2025. What happens in this case?

Does my 6-month suspended prison sentence mean I will serve it if I return to the UAE?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, My 6-month prison sentence is suspended for 3 years. Does this mean that when I return to the UAE after 3 years, I will have to serve 6 months in prison? Thanks!

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Terminated during local leave and denied gratuity and air ticket. What should I do?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, My employer terminated me while I was on my local leave, and he is only going to give me my paid leave for the month of May and the notice period for the month of June. I asked for a gratuity and an air ticket, but he refused to give them. What should I do now? Should I complain to MOHRE?

How to come back to the UAE if I left with a credit card debt that accrued through time?

Q: In 2010, I was permanently banned from the UAE. At that time, I had a credit card from a bank with a limit of AED 5,000. Due to harsh circumstances, I was unable to inform the bank before being deported by the authorities. I did inform the bank afterward but, due to inflation and my financial situation, I was unable to repay the debt. It has now been 14 years, and the bank is still pursuing me for the outstanding credit card balance, including the accrued interest, which now amounts to approximately AED 143,000. I would like to inquire if I am still liable to pay this amount after all these years, including the interest. I have heard that banks typically do not follow up on such small amounts (AED 5,000) for an extended period. Could you please provide assistance and clarification on this matter?

In my three-party criminal case, can the judge try me separately since I am a tourist?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, In my criminal case, there are three parties. Is it possible for the judge to unmerge my case and try me separately as I am a tourist?

My husband left me and my kids without financial support. What can I do?

Q: Good day. My husband left me and my kids. He is British. I’m Asian. He is still in Dubai. I asked him to put in writing the financial support that we would get without divorce as the solution. What document should I process? Also, my kids are British. Is it possible to get my UK visa through them? I only have a tourist visa but not residency as I understand we have to live there for 5 years. I don’t have any means to support myself when we get there. I’m unemployed at the moment and even if I work here it wouldn’t be enough for the 3 of us. Thank you!

What to do if I have a case to pay the amount of two bounced rental cheques?

Q: I live in a Sharjah flat. Two of my cheques bounced and the third cheque went smoothly. Now my building real estate lawyer doesn`t want to take one payment at a time. He wants the full money of two bounced cheques plus the lawyer fees, which is huge too. Is this fair?

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