Rental Disputes in Dubai

The DLD oversees all real estate activities in Dubai, including registrations and regulations. RERA, a part of DLD, is responsible for regulating the real estate sector, including rental agreements and disputes.

A tenancy contract should include details like the names of the landlord and tenant, property descriptions including property address, rent amount, payment terms, contract duration, and any specific terms agreed upon by both parties. It must be registered with Ejari, a system by RERA.

Rent is usually determined by mutual agreement between the landlord and tenant. Rent increases are regulated by the RERA Rental Index and must adhere to specific guidelines. Landlords must provide a 90-day notice if they intend to increase the rent.

Landlords are usually responsible for major maintenance and repair work. Tenants often assume the cost of minor repairs. If the landlord fails to perform necessary maintenance, the tenant can report the issue to RERA.

Landlords must give at least 24 hours’ notice before entering the property, and the visit should be for valid reasons like maintenance or inspections.

Early termination depends on the terms specified in the tenancy contract. Typically, tenants may be required to pay for an agreed early breakage penalty or pay the rent for the term remaining in the contract.

Subletting is generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed in the tenancy contract and approved by the landlord.

A landlord may pursue legal proceeding to evict a tenant for reasons such as:

* if tenant fails to pay rent despite being notified,

* if tenant breaches any key term of the contract, for example subletting without permission or use the property for illegal activities,

* if the landlord wishes to sell the property, use it for its personal needs or carry out major construction works, provided in such cases the landlord must serve the tenant with a 12 months prior notice at the end of the contract.

The landlord must file a lawsuit before the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDC) and seek an order to evict the tenant on valid grounds. The RDC, having a judicial authority over rent disputes in Dubai, will enforce an eviction order when it becomes final (non-appealable).

A tenant can only be evicted during the tenancy period for specific reasons such non-payment of rent, conduct of illegal activities, or when tenant breaks material terms of the contract.

A tenant is entitled to receive proper notice of eviction processing as well as to challenge the validity of the proceeding when filed before the RDC. A tenant is also entitled to seek compensation if post eviction the tenant can establish that the landlord’s cause of eviction is invalid or unjust.

If a tenant refuses to vacate the property after being served with a valid notice, the landlord enforce eviction after securing a final order from RDC. The tenant will in such case be enforced to leave the property, pay the rent calculated until the tenant’s last day in the property and pay legal expenses incurred by the landlord.