If you are having any problems with your landlord or tenant in regards to the tenancy agreement, such as the proposed three-year freeze law or the landlords requesting an increase in rent, here are a few insights on how to reach an agreement between the two parties.
What are the most common reasons that lead to tenancy disputes?
- Unreasonable grounds for eviction
- Increase of rent by the landlord without adhering to the Dubai rent increase law
- Not providing the essential services to the tenant
- Leasing apartment with defects and pest infection
- Unreasonable deduction from the security deposit (also known as dispute move-out charges).
How to file the complaint?
You should have both original as well as the photocopy of these documents:
- Passport and Visa
- Emirates ID
- Ejari certificate
- Original blue tenancy contract
- Recent DEWA bills
- Rental deposit slip
- Copies of cheques issued to the landlord
- Title Deed and Passport copy of landlord (originals are required if you are the landlord)
- Copies of any correspondence between tenant and landlord regarding the rental increase or dispute at hand
- Any other documentation that can help support your case
- If this is related to a commercial property, you will need all documentation in relation to the business (trade licenses, etc).
One more tip: If you also have a copy of these documents in Arabic, it would be an advantage.
Once all these documents are ready you can head towards the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC) in Dubai where a specialized committee will solve the case.
How does the process proceed?
Once all the above documents are ready. You can move to the other steps which are:
- You move to the RDC where a typing center will help you to fill out your complaint and file your case.
- Then the typist there will translate the documents into Arabic (if not provided) and ask any relevant questions about the nature of your dispute so your complaint can be formalized correctly.
- Once your complaint is submitted, you can use the government website for your rental dispute case inquiry.
- If you want to file an appeal, this can be done at the Appeal Department in Dubai’s Rental Dispute Center.
Litigation Before the RDSC
Article 10 of the Decree introduces the REconciliation Department, which is basically an optional step prior to litigation before Instance Circuit. The Reconciliation Department will study all the rental disputes that are presented by landlords and also the tenants or by their legal representatives, and examine all relevant documents, instruments, and evidence provided, and suggest reconciliation in order to settle the mutual agreement within a maximum period of 15 days. This period can be extended for a similar period by a decision of the supervising judge.
If the landlord and tenant agree over some ground by this time, then that agreement will be documented with the signature of both landlord and tenant and further approved by the judge supervising the Reconciliation Department.
In the event that amicable settlement is not achieved before the Reconciliation Department, the dispute file will be forwarded by the Reconciliation Department to the First Instance Circuit.
How much will it cost?
- This type of complaint is not free; the fee for these kinds of cases is 3.5% of the annual rent of the property and must be at least 500 AED and not exceed 20,000AED
- There are also costs to have your documents translated by the typing center at the dispute committee (approx. 210 AED, however, costs may vary)
- There are also additional administration costs that may be added. (approx. 110 AED)
Where Is the Rental Dispute Center Located?
The Rental Dispute Center is situated in the Department of Land and Property in Dubai:
- Rental Dispute Center Location: 7 Baniyas Road, Deira, Riggat Al Buteen, Dubai
- Rental Dispute Center Contact Number in Dubai: 800 44 88.