MAX Legal Consultancy advises landlords and tenants in Dubai on rental disputes: unpaid rent and bounced rent cheques, eviction notices, rent increases at renewal, security deposits, early termination, maintenance and claims before the Rental Disputes Center (RDC). We review the tenancy contract, the Ejari registration, the payment record and every notice that has been served, tell you where you stand, and prepare the next step.
Rental Disputes We Advise On
Unpaid rent and rent arrears, including bounced rent cheques
Eviction notices served during the tenancy or for the end of it
Rent increases at renewal and the DLD rental index
Security deposits that are not returned or are withheld for damage
Leaving a tenancy early, or a landlord trying to end one early
Maintenance, repairs and services being cut off
Renewals and proposed changes to the contract terms
Subletting, a sale of the property during the tenancy, and commercial tenancies
For Landlords
Most landlord matters turn on notices. Unpaid rent becomes a ground for eviction only after a notice to pay has been served through a notary public or by registered mail and 30 days have passed without payment. Ending a tenancy at expiry for sale, own use, demolition or major renovation needs one of the four grounds in the law and at least 12 months' notice. We check that your notices meet those requirements before you file, prepare the claim, and advise on recovering arrears. If a tenant has stopped paying, see our page on a tenant not paying rent.
For Tenants
A landlord cannot end a tenancy early simply by deciding to, and a rent increase at renewal is limited by Decree No. 43 of 2013 and, unless the contract says otherwise, must be notified at least 90 days before the contract expires. If you have received an eviction notice, a rent increase or a demand you believe is not valid, or your security deposit has not been returned, we review the contract and the notice, explain whether it holds, and prepare your response or your own claim at the RDC.
How Rental Disputes Are Resolved in Dubai
Landlord and tenant disputes over property in Dubai are decided by the Rental Disputes Center, which operates within the Dubai Land Department under Decree No. 26 of 2013. It has exclusive jurisdiction over these disputes, including in free zones that do not have their own rental tribunals. The tenancy rules themselves are in Law No. 26 of 2007, as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008, which applies to residential and commercial property alike. Our guide to the Rental Disputes Center explains how a case moves through the RDC, and our guide to rental disputes in Dubai sets out the rules on rent increases, eviction, deposits, renewal and early termination.
Documents to Prepare
The tenancy contract and any addendum or renewal
The Ejari registration certificate
Rent cheques, receipts and bank transfer records
Every notice served, with proof of how and when it was served
Emails and messages between landlord and tenant, in date order
Photographs, inspection or handover reports and maintenance requests
For commercial premises, the trade licence
How We Work
Document review. We read the contract, the Ejari record, the payment history and the notices before we advise.
Clear assessment. We tell you whether the notice, the increase or the claim meets the legal requirements, and how strong your position is.
A plan you can act on. A corrected notice, a settlement proposal, a response to a claim or a new claim, with the steps and the likely timeline.
Action. We draft the notices and settlement terms, prepare the RDC file and advise you at each stage of the case.
Rental disputes are one part of our property work. For purchases, off-plan contracts, developer disputes and service charges, see our real estate lawyer in Dubai page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord increase the rent at renewal?
Only within the limits of Decree No. 43 of 2013, which ties the maximum increase to how far your current rent is below the average rent for similar units in the official rental index, and only if the landlord notifies you at least 90 days before the contract expires, unless the contract provides otherwise. If your rent is no more than 10% below the average, no increase is allowed.
How much notice must a landlord give to evict a tenant?
It depends on the ground. For unpaid rent during the tenancy, the landlord must first serve a notice to pay and wait 30 days. To recover the property at the end of the tenancy for sale, own use, demolition or major renovation, the landlord must give at least 12 months' notice through a notary public or by registered mail. Our guide explains when a landlord can evict a tenant in Dubai.
My landlord has not returned my security deposit. What can I do?
The law requires the landlord to return the deposit, or whatever remains of it once the cost of any damage beyond ordinary wear and tear is deducted, when the tenancy ends. If the landlord refuses, the dispute can be taken to the RDC. Photographs and a handover report made when you move out are the best evidence.
Can I leave before my tenancy ends?
Under Article 7 of Law No. 26 of 2007, a tenancy can be ended early only by agreement or in the cases the law provides, so check your contract for an early-termination clause and try to agree the terms in writing. We can review the clause and help you negotiate an exit.
I have received a case from the Rental Disputes Center. What should I do?
Note the hearing date, collect the contract, the Ejari certificate, the payment record and the notices, and take advice before you respond. The RDC process includes a settlement stage, and any terms you agree should be put in writing. Our RDC guide explains each stage of the process.
Discuss a Rental Dispute
Send us the tenancy contract, the Ejari certificate and a short description of the problem, and we will tell you where you stand and what we recommend. Message MAX Legal Consultancy on WhatsApp or call +971 52 213 5555.
This page is general information about rental disputes in Dubai. It is not legal advice for your specific situation.
Speak With A Lawyer
MAX Legal Consultancy FZ LLE Office 2051, 2nd Floor, Dubai Supreme Court Complex Umm Hurair 2, Dubai, UAE
