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Rental disputes in Dubai are governed by Law No. 26 of 2007 and its amendment, Law No. 33 of 2008, alongside RERA regulations and the official Rental Index. All landlord-tenant disputes are resolved before the Rental Dispute Centre (RDC) — a dedicated judicial body within Dubai Courts.
Hessa Al Hammadi Advocates & Legal Consultants is licensed to appear before the RDC and represents both landlords and tenants in all categories of rental disputes. Our team advises on your legal position from day one, aiming for resolution that protects your rights and minimises time and cost.
Protecting tenants from illegal eviction notices and advising landlords on proper, compliant legal eviction procedures under Dubai tenancy law.
Recovering unpaid rent, pursuing bounced rental cheques, and enforcing rental payment obligations through RDC proceedings.
Resolving disagreements over lease terms, renewal conditions, rent increases, permitted use, and other contractual obligations.
Pursuing and defending claims related to property damage, security deposit disputes, and maintenance and repair obligation conflicts.
Advising on EJARI registration, lease registration disputes, and related regulatory compliance affecting tenancy rights.
Challenging unlawful rent increases using the Dubai RERA Rental Index and advising on the permissible increase percentages for each area.
Dubai’s rental framework is one of the most structured in the region — but its protections only apply if you engage the process correctly. Missing a procedural step, filing incomplete evidence, or misunderstanding the RERA Rental Index can result in an unfavourable RDC judgment, even when the law is on your side.
A rental dispute lawyer in Dubai ensures that:
Our team has handled rent increase challenges, eviction defenses, deposit recovery claims, and EJARI compliance disputes across Dubai’s residential and commercial rental markets.
An RDC case typically proceeds through mandatory mediation (within 15 days of filing), followed by a formal hearing within 30–60 days. The total process from filing to first-instance decision is usually 2–4 months, making it significantly faster than regular court litigation.
The RERA Rental Index sets out the fair market rental value for properties across Dubai by area and property type. Landlords cannot increase rent beyond the percentage permitted by the Rental Index based on the current rent compared to market value. An increase exceeding the permissible percentage is challengeable before the RDC.
A landlord can only evict a tenant before the lease expires in very limited circumstances defined by UAE tenancy law — for example, if the tenant fails to pay rent for more than 30 days after a notarised notice, or if the tenant uses the property for illegal purposes. Simply wanting the property back is not sufficient. We advise on the lawfulness of any eviction notice you receive.
Security deposits are refundable at the end of a tenancy, subject to deductions for legitimate damage (beyond fair wear and tear). Disputes over security deposit refunds are among the most common matters before the RDC. We assist both landlords and tenants in resolving deposit disputes efficiently.
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Dubai’s rental relationships are primarily governed by Law No. 26 of 2007 (as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008). These laws define the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants and establish the Rental Dispute Centre as the sole body with jurisdiction over tenancy disputes in Dubai.
Key provisions include the following:
Disputes involving properties in DIFC follow a separate framework. Our team offers advice on both.
Unlawful Rent Increases
Landlords may only raise rent within the percentages prescribed by the RERA Rental Index. You can directly challenge the increase at the RDC with supporting evidence from the Index if it exceeds the permitted ceiling.
Eviction Without Legal Grounds
A landlord who wishes to evict a tenant for personal use or redevelopment must provide a notarized 12-month eviction notice before the lease renewal date. Evictions based on non-payment require a separate notarized 30-day payment notice. Any eviction notice that does not comply with these requirements is legally contested.
Security Deposit Disputes
Security deposit disagreements are among the most frequently filed cases at the RDC. Disputes typically arise when a landlord makes deductions that the tenant considers unjustified. According to Dubai tenancy law, deductions are only allowed for damage that exceeds normal wear and tear. The written documentation of the property’s condition at move-in and move-out serves as central evidence in these cases.
Lease Renewal and Early Termination
Disputes over renewal terms, rent at renewal, and the consequences of early lease termination are common across both residential and commercial rentals. The terms of your EJARI-registered tenancy agreement and the notice provisions within it govern your position.
Maintenance Obligations
UAE tenancy law and the individual lease agreement assign maintenance and repair responsibilities between landlord and tenant. Disputes typically arise when a party fails to meet these obligations. Documentation of requests, responses, and condition reports is critical evidence.
Protecting your rental income and property requires more than a standard tenancy agreement. Our team assists landlords with:
Tenants in Dubai have clearly defined legal protections—but enforcing them requires timely and correct action. We assist tenants facing:
Most RDC cases take 2 to 4 months from filing to a first-instance decision. The mandatory mediation stage typically concludes within 15 days of filing, followed by a formal hearing scheduled within 30 to 60 days. This is significantly faster than standard civil court litigation in Dubai.
The RERA Rental Index determines the maximum rent increase a landlord can legally apply in Dubai. Increases are capped based on how your current rent compares to the Index’s fair market value for your property type and area. Any increase exceeding the permitted percentage can be challenged before the rental dispute center. You can check the current index using RERA’s official rent calculator.
No—a landlord in Dubai cannot evict a tenant before the lease expires except in specific circumstances defined by UAE tenancy law, such as non-payment of rent for more than 30 days after a notarized notice or use of the property for illegal purposes. Wanting the property back is not a valid ground for early eviction. We advise on the lawfulness of any eviction notice you have received.
Your security deposit must be refunded at the end of the tenancy, minus any deductions for legitimate damage beyond fair wear and tear. If your landlord is withholding the deposit without a valid cause, you can file a deposit recovery claim at the Rental Dispute Centre. We assist both landlords and tenants in resolving deposit disputes at the RDC.
To file a rental dispute at the RDC, you will typically need your tenancy agreement (registered with EJARI), your Emirates ID, proof of rent payments (cheques or bank transfers), the EJARI certificate, and any written correspondence related to the dispute, such as eviction notices or maintenance requests. Our team reviews your documents before filing to ensure your case is complete.
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