Middle East Legal Resources - Legal Advice Middle East

Changed my mind before signing the lease agreement. Are my post-dated rent checks at risk?

Q: Hello, I recently found an apartment for rent and agreed with the agent to make payments in three installments. I provided the agent with post-dated checks for the second and third payments and planned to transfer the first payment, deposit, and agency fee to the agent’s account once the lease agreement was finalized. However, the lease agreement has not been finalized yet, and I have since found a better place. Since I have not signed any lease agreement, should I be concerned about the landlord cashing the checks for the second and third payments? Is it legal? Additionally, the agent requested an extra 2,000 dirhams beyond the amount he intended to include in the lease agreement.

I purchased a rented apartment in Abu Dhabi. Can I evict the tenant immediately if there is no Tawtheeq contact?

Q: I recently purchased a rented apartment in Abu Dhabi and agreed to honor the existing lease. After the transfer, I discovered that the lease is not a Tawtheeq contract, meaning it is not officially registered. Since I am not receiving rent (as it was a non-refundable arrangement with the seller), I prefer not to issue a new Tawtheeq. I also want to avoid a formal notice to vacate to prevent disputes, as I plan to move in. However, I have already informed the tenant that I will not be renewing the lease. I need legal advice on the implications of proceeding without a Tawtheeq contract. What are my risks, especially if the tenant refuses to move out? What legal actions, if any, can the tenant take in this situation?

Unpaid agency commission without a signed agreement. Can email proof hold up in court?

Q: Hi dear all, This question concerns the payment of the agency commission. The commission agreement form was not signed, but there is indirect evidence — email correspondence in which it is confirmed that the 2% amount is intended for the agent’s commission. In the end, the client refuses to pay, although the deal was completed. How realistic is it to receive the commission through a court decision? And how long would such a case typically take?

Terminated for performance issues without prior warning while on vacation. What should I do?

Q: Hello Sir, I am facing an issue with my employer. I work in the private sector in the UAE, and my employment visa expires in June 2025. After two years, I traveled to my home country for vacation, and one week after my arrival, the company sent me an email terminating my employment due to performance issues. However, I was never given any prior warning or written notice. The termination email also did not mention any notice period or other details. I would like to know my rights and what I should do in this situation.

A realtor brought a client and the deal went through without him. Can a court force me to pay the commission?

Q: Guys, I have a question. A realtor brought a client, and the deal went through, but we didn’t sign a form for the realtor’s commission payment. I wasn’t satisfied with the realtor’s work because he took the other side’s position and tried to persuade me to sell for a lower price. From my side, there was only indirect confirmation via email that the commission would be paid. Can a court force me to pay the commission?

The tenant refuses to give rental cheques to the agent or pay the renewal fee as per the contract. What to do?

Q: The tenant refuses to give rental cheques to the agent or pay the renewal fee specified in the contract. He is forcing the landlord to directly renew the agreement without any agent in between, and the landlord is uncomfortable dealing with him directly. The tenant submitted a renewal contract in RDC with an offer and deposit case with modified terms and conditions, and removed the addendum, which is an integral part of the existing contract. Parallelly, he submitted an Ejari request to the landlord for approval. The landlord rejected his offer and deposit request at the RDC portal due to non-compliance with the existing contract. Accordingly, his Ejari request was also rejected. Since then, the tenant has not approached the landlord for renewal. The landlord is willing to renew the contract without any change in the existing contract and addendum. How can the landlord secure the renewal cheques and conclude the contract? Can he ask the tenant to vacate the apartment? Please advise

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Removed from Dubai trade license, but facing travel ban for unpaid company rent. How to lift it?

Q: Hello, I used to work as a manager of a company in Dubai Free Zone, and I removed my name from the trade license by Dubai court order. However, the company has not paid the rent, and now RDC has put me on a travel ban. I have all the court papers. How can I remove the travel ban, and where should I approach?

Can the real estate company ask for 10% rent increase if the RERA rental index does not allow it?

Q: I am residing in Al Nahda 2 area, and the real estate company is asking me for a 10% rent increase from last year. However, checking RERA, there is no increase in the rates in my area as checked today. Once I told my real estate the same, they said it had to be checked 3 months ago from now. Also, the area they have shown in their RERA is Al Nahda 1, while I reside in Al Nahda 2.

Employer failed to process my visa and Emirates ID and I have heavy fines. What are my options?

Q: Hello, I’ve been working for a company for 8 months now. They only gave me an eVisa (Change Status), but it has already expired. I have always told them about my visa and Emirates ID, but I still haven’t received either. I have too many fines now. What should I do?

How can I get a refund from a contractor who failed to complete renovation work in Dubai?

Q: How can I get a refund from a contractor who failed to complete renovation work in Dubai? The contractor agreed to refund but he isn’t transferring the money. He is just dragging me around with fake promises.

How to recover unpaid fees from a client who refuses to pay for online consulting services?

Q: Hello, A client of mine used our consulting services online and is refusing to pay. Despite multiple reminders, she still has not made the payment. What legal action can I take against her?

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An off-plan developer is requesting future cheques for payment installments. Is this normal?

Q: An off-plan developer is requesting future cheques for paying installments. Is this normal?

I lost the appeal filed by my landlord. What can I do if he illegally keeps my last cheque and deposit?

Q: I got RDSC judgment in my favor awarding termination of my lease from May 2024 to May 2025. The landlord made an appeal and lied about my request for termination on 4 December. My lawyer didn`t give any response so the landlord won the appeal. Recently, the Landlord asked for the keys back and said I have overstayed since 4 Dec for not returning the key. He said he could cash my last rent cheque and wouldn`t return the deposit. I gave him my friend`s address and said to pick up the key from there but to return my deposit and last rent cheque but he does not agree. He wants to keep the deposit.

I hired an agency to close my free zone company but failed to do so. What can I do?

Q: I hired an agency to close my free zone company in October last year and paid them already. However, I have now been informed by the FDA that the company has not been closed, and I am required to upload a renewed license (which I do not have), otherwise, I will face a penalty. The agency I hired is not responding to my messages. What can I do?

ILO claim denied for submitting after 32 days. Do weekends count in the 30-day limit?

Q: Hi, My claim was rejected because I submitted it after 32 days instead of 30. I assumed that weekends wouldn’t count, so I submitted my claim immediately on the first working day. Notably, the ILOE regulation does not clarify whether the 30 days refer to calendar or business days. I explained this to them, but they keep rejecting my claim.

Can we legally act against community management for a noisy pool unit?

Q: Hello, We live in a development in Ras Al Khaimah, and under our apartment block, there is a loud swimming pool heater/chiller unit that runs 24/7, producing a rattling and humming noise that disturbs our peace. We can hardly use our balcony due to this noise. Other apartments face the same issue, but the community management refuses to take action. What legal recourse do we have? Can we serve the community management office with a legal notice?

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