Middle East Legal Resources - Legal Advice Middle East

Can I block a new Ejari registration to prevent the landlord from re-renting the property?

Q: Dear Lawyers, What are my rights in terms of eviction? My landlord tried to increase my rent by 20% (per the RERA system, they were entitled to zero increase). We offered inflation as a response (all done via email). After they accused us of being cheap and we reminded them that the system indicated no increase was applicable, they issued us an eviction notice for "family use." We have since moved out, but now they are saying they will be selling the property and are providing us with a long list of maintenance items they want to withhold from the deposit (replacing water heaters, roof tiles, wheels on sliding doors), all of which were functioning properly during the nearly 3 years we lived in the house. We suspect that now we are out, they will refuse to refund the deposit and will rent the house out again. I have heard you can block the registration of a new Ejari for rental. What is the process for this, and do I have any other rights based on the above situation? Thanks!

A company threatens legal action over a bad review. How should I respond?

Q: Dear concern, We booked a photography company last month for my son`s birthday party, and the service from the photographer was really disappointing. We posted a Google review stating our disappointment. Later, the company contacted us through WhatsApp to remove the review to avoid legal cases. We removed it, informing them that we would repost it after seeking legal advice. Could you please help me?

Do I owe 4 months' rent if I terminate my lease without 60 days' notice?

Q: Dear Lawyers, In the event of termination of the contract prior to the mentioned date of expiry, the Tenant will have to inform the Landlord with a written notice of 60 days in advance and indemnify the Landlord with an amount equivalent to 2 months` rent. So, does this mean if I do not give 60 days` notice and want to move out immediately, I need to pay 4 months` rent?

Can a landlord increase the rent via a WhatsApp message without prior notice?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I have been a tenant in a residential unit since 2023. The real estate representative of the landlord sent a WhatsApp message stating that my rent is finalized at 24,200 AED, up from the previous contract amount of 22,000 AED, without any prior notice or email from the landlord. Kindly guide me!

Someone is holding my passport until I repay a loan with 15% interest. What can I do?

Q: Dear Lawyers, I borrowed money with 15% interest from a person. My passport is with him, and he will not give it back unless I pay him in full. I`ve been paying the interest for almost 3 years now.

Can I return to Dubai by paying only the court fine for a 2016 debt case?

Q: Dear Sir, I hope this message finds you well! I am writing to seek your advice regarding a debt case filed in 2016 in the UAE. The debt amounts to approximately 45,000 AED (20,000 AED cheque amount and 25,000 AED credit card amount). The associated interest has now possibly exceeded 150,000 AED. I have recently secured a job in Dubai and am eager to return; however, I am currently unable to pay the full debt amount. I am aware of a court fine of 5,000 AED. I would like to understand if there is any possibility of returning to Dubai by paying only this court fine and lawyer fee. Could you please advise on any available legal avenues or procedures that may allow me to resolve this matter and return to Dubai under these circumstances? Your guidance on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and assistance! Best Regards,

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Is the RERA rental index calculator applicable to hotel apartments?

Q: Dear All, I currently have an annual rent contract with a hotel apartment in Al Barsha, Dubai. I have a separate Ejari and pay my unit`s DEWA bills. My current yearly rent is the same as the rent advertised for new units in the same building. However, my contract renewal is due in three months, and the building management has informed me that a 10% increase in rent will be applied if I wish to renew. According to the RERA rental index calculator for the Al Barsha area, my current annual rent is already higher than the average rent, so no increase in rent is permissible. The building management has stated that they don`t fall under the RERA rental index because they`re hotel apartments. I wish to verify whether they fall under RERA rent index guidelines or not. Please advise. I am willing to open a rental dispute case and seek legal help, but I need to check if it will be valid. Thank you!

I received a job offer in Dubai. Can I go there with my HIV condition?

Q: Dear Lawyers, I am from India, and I am an HIV patient undergoing treatment. Recently, I received a job offer in Dubai. Can I go to Dubai with this condition? Is it possible to work in Dubai with this issue? Can you give me suggestions, please?

What to do if a 30 kg cargo from Sharjah to India has not arrived after four months?

Q: Dear Lawyers, This March, I sent a 30 kg cargo from Sharjah to India. It is now July, and I still have not received my parcel. What should I do? Please let me know!

What penalties will the doctors face for our daughter's death due to a medical error?

Q: Dear Lawyers, We just received the final medical report from the high committee stating that there was a gross medical error that resulted in the death of our daughter. Three doctors are involved: 50%, 30%, and 20%. Apart from the compensation, what will be the punishment for the doctors?

Is canceling an apartment purchase via message valid, or must it be through RERA?

Q: Dear Lawyers, I signed a Form F, and after 9 days, I decided not to buy the apartment. Is communication by message valid, or does it need to be done through RERA to be considered valid?

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My nanny absconded while on holiday in the EU. What should I do?

Q: Dear Lawyers, My nanny went on holiday to the EU and has absconded. We are now back in the UAE. What should I do?

If my employer fails to process the cancellation, how long does DMCC take to handle it?

Q: Dear Sir/Madam, I`ve served a 30-day notice, and my employer is supposed to provide the cancellation and end-of-service (EOS) settlement on time. However, if my employer fails to process the cancellation, how many days does the DMCC Authority typically take to handle the cancellation upon my request? Additionally, how many days would you suggest I wait after completing the 30-day notice period before approaching the DMCC Freezone Authority, given that my next employer is already waiting?

Should I sign a new contract or extend my current one to meet the eviction date?

Q: Hello, My tenancy contract ends on August 9, 2024, but I received an eviction letter last December. Therefore, I submitted a request to extend the eviction until December 11, 2024. My question is whether I need to sign a new contract for 4 months and 2 days or extend the old tenancy contract. Also, should I create a new Ejari for this period? I want to be covered in case I need to dispute next year (in case the landlord rents it at a higher price, which is likely). If I sign a new contract for 4 months and 2 days, will I still be eligible to dispute next year if the landlord rents it to someone else? Thanks!

How to recover money lost in an online scam on a matrimonial website?

Q: Dear Lawyers, Is there any way to take action or legal proceedings in cases of online scams? One of my friends was cheated by a lady on a matrimonial website, and he is still seeking to recover his money.

Can I still receive my settlement if my employer terminated my contract after one month?

Q: Dear Lawyers, My employer didn`t proceed with processing my employment visa. They managed to apply for a labor card, but then held the process and sent me a WhatsApp message stating they would not proceed. I worked with them for one month. They decided to terminate the contract and stop the visa process. I signed the job offer with a 10k salary, but the labor contract mentioned only 5k. Until now, they have not paid my one-month salary. They told me they would pay my one-month salary after I returned all the company equipment they gave me, such as phones and a laptop. My question is, do I have a chance to get my settlement? I already filed a complaint with MOHRE, but I know it will take time, and I have no idea if I even stand a chance. Please advise.

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