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There are specific rental rules and tenant rights in Dubai governed by the Dubai Land Department (DLD). These rules protect tenants’ rights in Dubai and ensure a fair and transparent rental process.
Some of the key rental rules in Dubai include the following:
- The maximum Rent that can be charged for a property is capped at 10% of the property’s value.
- Landlords are required to register all rental agreements with the DLD.
- Tenants are entitled to a one-year rental contract, which can be renewed for additional one-year periods.
- Landlords are responsible for maintaining the property and ensuring that it is habitable.
- Tenants have the right to terminate their tenancy agreement early but may be required to pay the penalty.
Tenants in Dubai also have certain rights, including the right to:
- Right to use the property and live in a safe and habitable property.
- Have their privacy respected.
- Be protected from unlawful eviction.
- Be protected from discrimination.
- Be informed about any changes to the rental contract.
It’s important for both landlords and tenants to be familiar with these rental rules, and tenant rights in Dubai, as failure to comply with them can result in legal consequences.
Terms of the RERA Tenancy Laws in Dubai
The RERA Tenancy Laws in Dubai are designed to protect the rights of tenants and landlords to ensure a fair and transparent rental process. These laws are governed by the Dubai Land Department’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) and apply to all rental agreements in Dubai.
Some of the key terms of the RERA Tenancy Laws in Dubai include:
- The maximum rent increase that can be charged for a property is capped at 10% of the property’s value.
- Landlords are required to register all rental agreements with the DLD.
- Tenants are entitled to a one-year rental contract, which can be renewed for additional one-year periods.
- Landlords are responsible for maintaining the property and ensuring that it is habitable.
- Tenants have the right to terminate their rental contract early but may be required to pay the penalty.
These laws also establish the rights of tenants in Dubai, including the right to live in a safe and habitable property, the right to have their privacy respected, and the right to be protected from unlawful eviction and discrimination.
It’s important for both landlords and tenants to be familiar with the terms of the RERA Tenancy Laws in Dubai, as failure to comply with them can result in legal consequences.
FAQs – Tenant Rights in Dubai
On what grounds can the landlord seek eviction of a tenant in Dubai?
As per Dubai Rental law Article 25 of Law No. 33 of 2008 Amending Law No. 26 of 2007 Regulating the Relationship between Landlords and Tenants, the Emirate of Dubai permits a landlord to evict a tenant from the leased property before the expiry of the tenancy contract or before the expiration date specified in the lease contract only under special circumstances:
1. Where the Tenant fails to pay the Rent or any part thereof within thirty (30) days after the date a Notice to pay is given to the Tenant by the Landlord unless otherwise agreed by the parties;
- a. Where the Tenant sub-lets the Real Property or any part thereof without obtaining the Landlord’s approval in writing. In this case, the eviction will apply to both the Tenant and Sub-Tenant.
- b. Where the Tenant uses the Real Property or allows others to use it for any illegal purpose or for a purpose which breaches public order or morals;
- c. Where the Tenant of commercial Real Property leaves the Real Property unoccupied for no valid reason for thirty (30) consecutive days or ninety (90) non-consecutive days within the same year unless agreed otherwise by both parties;
- d. Where the Tenant makes a change to the Real Property that renders it unsafe in a manner that makes it impossible to restore the Real Property to its original state or damages the Real Property willfully or through gross negligence by failing to exercise due diligence or by allowing others to cause such damage;
- e. Where the Tenant has full use of the property for a purpose other than that for which the Real Property was leased or used the Real Property in a manner that violates planning, construction, and use-of-land regulations in force in the Emirate;
- f. Where the Real Property is condemned, provided that the Landlord must prove this by a technical report issued by or attested to by Dubai Municipality;
- g. Where the Tenant fails to observe any obligation imposed on him by this Law or any of the terms of the Tenancy Contract within thirty (30) days from the date a Notice to perform such obligation or term is served upon him by Landlord; or
- h. Where competent Government entities require demolition or reconstruction of the Real Property as per urban development requirements in the Emirate.
What rights do tenants have?
Tenants’ rights include the right to live in a safe and habitable property, the right to have their privacy respected, and the right to be protected from unlawful eviction and discrimination.
Other rights of tenants in Dubai include the right to be informed about any changes to the rental contract, the right to receive a written rental contract, and the right to request repairs to the rented property if necessary. Tenants also have the right to terminate their rental contract early and ask for the security deposit refund but may be required to pay the penalty.
It’s important for both landlord and tenant must be aware of these rights, as failure to comply with them can result in legal consequences. Landlords should ensure that they provide tenants with the leased property in good order and respect their tenants’ privacy. On the other hand, tenants should make sure to pay their rent on time and follow the rental contract terms.
Where to find a rental Tenancy Contract in Dubai?
According to the Dubai tenancy law, all rental agreements must be registered with the Dubai Land Department in Dubai. This means that if you are looking for a tenancy contract in Dubai, you will need to visit the Dubai Land Department to obtain a copy.
The Dubai Land Department has several offices throughout the city, so you should be able to find one that is convenient for you. You can visit the Dubai Land Department website to find the address and contact information for the office nearest to you.
Once you have located an office of the Dubai Land Department, you can visit in person to request a copy of your tenancy contract. You will need to provide personal information, such as your name and the property address, to obtain a copy of the agreement.
You can also obtain a copy of your tenancy contract online through the Dubai Land Department’s e-services portal. This will allow you to access your agreement from any location without visiting the DLD office or website.
I don’t have a formal Tenancy Contract; what are my rights?
All rental agreements must be registered with the Dubai Land Department (DLD). This means that if you do not have a formal tenancy contract, your rental agreement is not legally recognized. If you do not have a formal tenancy contract, you may not have the same tenant’s rights to the rental property and legal protections as tenants with a contract.
Where can I complain about my landlord in Dubai?
If you have a problem with your landlord in Dubai, you can file a complaint with the Dubai Land Department’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA). RERA is responsible for regulating the rental market in Dubai and ensuring that landlords and tenants comply with the law.
Once you can file a complaint to Rental Disputes Center (RDC), the dispute committee review the case. You need to provide a copy of the tenancy contract, personal information, such as your name and the property address, and details about your complaint. RERA will investigate the matter and take any necessary action to address your concerns. This may include mediating a resolution between you and your landlord or taking legal action against your landlord if necessary.
It’s important to note that filing a complaint with RERA does not guarantee that your concerns will be resolved to your satisfaction. However, RERA can help ensure that your rights as a tenant are protected and provide valuable support and guidance throughout the process.
You can track the rent dispute case with the Rental Disputes Settlement Centre at https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/rdc/rdc-track-your-case/.
Can a landlord enter a property when a tenant is not present?
Landlords are generally not allowed to enter a property when a tenant is not present. Landlords must notify the tenant to take permission to enter the property and provide advance written notice before doing so.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, a landlord may be allowed to enter the property without the tenant’s permission in the case of an emergency, such as a fire or a flood. In addition, a landlord may be allowed to enter the property to make necessary repairs and renovation, but only if the tenant has agreed to this in advance and the repairs cannot be made at a different time.
Conclusion
Every Tenant in Dubai has rights and obligations following the tenancy contract and rent law in Dubai. The tenant must hand over the property in good condition. There may be normal wear and tear, but the Tenant should vacate the property to the Landlord in the same condition.
Also Read:– Dubai Rental Laws -Everything you need to know about Landlord Tenant Rental & Tenancy Law in Dubai, UAE
