Falling behind on your rent can be stressful, but the anxiety of not knowing what action your landlord will take as a result of the late payment can make things even worse. Is he or she able to evict you? Or do you turn off your water and electricity?
Tenants are protected by Article 34 of Law No. (26) of 2007 Regulating Relationship Between Lessors and Lessees of Property in the Emirate of Dubai, which protects tenants from the landlord’s discontinuance of services.
Even if the renter fails to pay the rental installments, the landlord has no power to cut the water or electricity supply, or any other service that may impede the tenant from fully using the property.
In the event of non-payment of rent, the landlord may take specified legal procedures to reclaim the outstanding rental amounts, such as submitting a lawsuit with the Rental Dispute Centre (RDC) to claim the outstanding rental amount and seeking the tenant’s eviction, as mentioned in Article 25 of the same statute.
Article 25 of Law No. (26) of 2007 outlines seven scenarios in which a tenant may be removed before the lease contract expires.
What action can the tenant take?
If the landlord breaks the law, the tenant can submit an urgent complaint with the RDC, requesting that the landlord reconnect the service and compensate the tenant for the damages caused, as specified in Article 34 of Law No. 26/2007.
How do you file an urgent case with the RDC?
If the landlord breaks the law, the tenant can submit an urgent complaint with the RDC, requesting that the landlord reconnect the service and compensate the tenant for the damages caused, as specified in Article 34 of Law No. 26/2007.
According to the Dubai Land Department’s phone center – 800 4488 – in emergency instances where vital services to a place have been terminated, the tenant can seek a ‘petition order.’ According to the call center, if a petition order is submitted, a court will make a decision within 24 hours.
To file a petition order online, follow these steps:
- Visit the DLD website here to start the service: https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/eservices/petition-order/#/
You will then be asked to create an account with the website or use your UAE Pass to login.
- Submit the necessary documents and information
These include:
- A letter explaining why you’re requesting a petition order.
- A copy of the most recent lease (Ejari) with an Arabic translation.
- a copy of your Emirates identification card
If the property belongs to a business or organization, you must submit the following documents:
- a copy of the manager’s Emirates ID
- a copy of the most recent Commercial Licence
- Pay the fees electronically
By credit/debit card, you will be required to pay the following fees:
- Dh20 for the petition order;
- Dh20 for the petition order; Dh10 for the charge for knowledge and innovation
The applicant must pay 2.5% of the annual rent. If the case is inspected, this charge is available upon request.
- Receive the final decision online
The Provisional and Urgent Affairs Judge will issue the judgement once the petition and all required documents have been presented and the fees have been paid. The judge’s ruling will subsequently be sent to you via the website.