As a tenant in Dubai, it is important to know your rights to ensure that you are protected and treated fairly by your landlord. The Dubai government has implemented a range of laws and regulations to protect tenants’ rights and ensure that they are not taken advantage of by landlords. There will be an Ejari certificate and most of the time an addendum on the contract, mentioning some terms and conditions by the landlord.
In this blog, we will discuss some of the key rights that you have as a tenant in Dubai.
Security Deposit
When renting a property in Dubai, you are required to pay a security deposit to your landlord. This is usually equivalent to one month’s rent and is intended to cover any damages or unpaid rent at the end of the tenancy. Your landlord is required by law to refund your security deposit within 14 days of the end of the tenancy, provided that there are no damages or unpaid rent.
Rent Increase
Your landlord is not allowed to increase the rent during the tenancy period unless it is specified in the rental agreement. If there is a rent increase clause in the agreement, the landlord must give you at least 90 days’ notice before the increase takes effect. The rent increase must be in line with the RERA rent index, which is published annually and determines the maximum rent increase that landlords can charge.
Eviction
Your landlord cannot evict you from the property without a valid reason. Valid reasons for eviction include failure to pay rent, breach of the rental agreement, and using the property for illegal activities. If your landlord wants to evict you, they must give you a written notice at least 12 months before the end of the tenancy period.
Maintenance and Repairs
Your landlord is responsible for maintaining the property and ensuring that it is in good condition. This includes fixing any damage caused by natural wear and tear or external factors. If there are any maintenance or repair issues, you should inform your landlord in writing and give them a reasonable amount of time to fix the issue.
Privacy
Your landlord is not allowed to enter the property without your permission, except in cases of emergency or if they have given you 24 hours’ notice. This means that your landlord cannot enter the property to carry out repairs or inspections without your consent.
Termination of Tenancy
If you want to terminate your tenancy before the end of the rental agreement, you must give your landlord notice in writing. The notice period must be in line with the rental agreement and cannot be less than 90 days. If you terminate the tenancy before the end of the agreement without giving notice, your landlord is entitled to charge you a penalty equivalent to one month’s rent.
Subletting
You are not allowed to sublet the property without the written consent of your landlord. If you sublet the property without permission, your landlord can terminate the tenancy and evict you from the property.
Rental Disputes
If you have a dispute with your landlord, you can file a complaint with the Rental Disputes Center (RDC). The RDC is a government body that handles rental disputes between landlords and tenants. The RDC will investigate the dispute and make a ruling based on the evidence presented.
Summary
In conclusion, as a tenant in Dubai have several rights that are protected by law. These include the right to a refund of their security deposit, protection against rent increases, protection against eviction without a valid reason, the right to privacy, the right to terminate the tenancy, and protection against subletting without permission. If you have any issues with your landlord, you can file a complaint with the Rental Disputes Center (RDC). It is important to know your rights as a tenant to ensure that you are protected and treated fairly by your landlord.
Find out more on finding your home in Dubai reading our next post: Finding the Perfect Home as an Expat in Dubai
