Landlord-tenant disputes are a common occurrence all around the world. The prompt and proper settlement of such conflicts encourages a thriving rental market. Rent dispute settlement forums are where RERA rental disputes in Dubai are reported and resolved. Here is a guidance on how to file a rental dispute in Dubai if your tenancy problem has not been resolved through the usual channels.
Even though the Dubai Land Department has set in place several kinds of programs to help tenants, landlords, buyers, and sellers, conflicts do occasionally occur in the form of disagreements and violations of contractual obligations.
In the beginning, it is preferable to consider coming up with a solution that benefits all parties. Nevertheless, you can find yourself in a predicament where all lines of dialogue and rational argument with the other side have been cut off. You must next submit a rental dispute to RERA.
This forum focuses on the swift settlement of disputes that arise between tenants and landlords in Dubai for a number of reasons, including but not limited to:
- Tenant’s failure to make rent payments
- Rent was increased by the landlord without justification.
- Tenant’s refuse to leave the property on time
- Essential services are cut off by landlords in order to evict tenants.
- Disagreement over the return of the security deposit
All rental issues in Dubai must be resolved by the Rent issues Resolution Center, which is overseen by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA), with the following exceptions:
- Financial leasing agreements
- incidents involving rent disputes that occur in Dubai-free zones like DMCC, JAFZA, and Tecom.
The Rent Dispute Resolution Centre (RDC) accepts rental dispute cases from both tenants and landlords. Let’s examine the procedures for complaining to the landlord in Dubai as tenants.
Be aware that the same procedures still apply if a landlord requires outside assistance to resolve a disagreement with one or more of their tenants.
STEP 1: GET TO KNOW DUBAI’S RENTAL LAW
Before considering bringing a rental dispute case in Dubai, it is crucial to get familiar with the Dubai Tenancy Law. To regulate rental agreements in the city, the Dubai government has passed stringent legislation.
For instance, the legislation requires all landlords to notify their tenants of their plan to raise the rent 90 days in advance, unless an exception applies. The notification must be delivered online or through a registered postal service, and the increase must be in accordance with the RERA’s rent index.
Knowing the RERA laws is the first step toward appropriate conflict resolution, whether you’re a landlord or a tenant. You cannot just make assumptions when you register a rental dispute at the rental dispute center in Dubai. It’s advisable to obtain legal advice if you don’t fully comprehend the law in a certain situation.
STEP 2: INFORM THE OTHER PARTY AND DISCUSS A SOLUTION
Once you understand the laws that support your RERA complaint(s), you should notify the other party of your legal standing. For example, if you believe you have been charged an unreasonable rental increase, you should notify your landlord. Make a record of every correspondence with the other party.
If you are still unable to reach a mutually beneficial arrangement, you have the option of filing a rental dispute complaint in Dubai. In Dubai, an RERA rent complaint can be lodged with the rental dispute committee. The process for submitting a rental dispute complaint in Dubai is rather simple. However, it should be noted that registering a rental dispute case in Dubai is not a quick process.
As a result, it is best to contact the Rental Dispute Centre Dubai as a last choice for settlement.
STEP 3: COLLECT THE DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO FILE RERA COMPLAINTS.
To file a rental dispute with the RDC in Dubai, you will require the following documents.
- Ejari tenancy contract and certificate
- Latest DEWA bill
- Title deed and passport of the landlord (original and copy)
- Tenant’s passport and visa copy
- Emirates ID (original and copy)
- Rental deposit slips
- Copies of cheques made to the landlord
- Proof of correspondence between the parties
- Any other supporting documents regarding the dispute
Some of these documents must be translated into Arabic before you attend the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC) in Deira. The typists at the Rental Disputes Centre also provide translation services.
STEP 4: REGISTER AN APPLICATION ONLINE OR VISIT THE RENT DISPUTES RESOLUTION CENTRE (RDC).
The Rental Dispute Resolution Centre (RDC), which handles and resolves all varieties of rental issues in Dubai, was formed by Decree No. 26 of 2013. Visit the RDC Head Office at 10 3rd Street, Riggat Al Buteen, Deira after you have all the paperwork needed to file a rental dispute case.
The RDC typist who is assigned to you can fill up your RERA complaint with the documentation you provide. The typist will ask you about your rental disagreement and provide you advice on how to submit your case and formalize your complaint.
Alternately, you can use the Rent Disputes Resolution portal to submit a rental issue to RERA. The steps for using online tools to file a complaint over a rental issue in Dubai are quite self-explanatory.
STEP 5: THE CASE PROCEDURES
The rental dispute in Dubai will initially be forwarded to the Arbitration Department, which will attempt to settle the issue within 15 days after you provide the required paperwork and file your case.
If the two parties are able to reach a settlement, it is recorded and given the legal weight of an execution writ.
For your RERA complaint, you must file a lawsuit if arbitration is unsuccessful. A decision on the lawsuit is expected within 30 days.
RERA will assign you a day and time to present the rental dispute case if a lawsuit is filed. Depending on how many cases are handled during the day, the hearing can last a few hours.
You might need to show up for another hearing if the bench decides that your Dubai rental dispute case is not compelling or that you lack sufficient supporting documentation. In cases where disagreements exceed AED 50k, the losing side does have a right to appeal within 15 days.
The lawsuit must be worth at least AED 330k in order to be brought before the Court of Cassation. Within 30 days of the decision’s finality, the appeal may be submitted.
HOW MUCH DOES LODGING A DISPUTE COST?
You will have to consider the following charges before lodging a complaint.
- 3.5% of the annual rent (Not less than AED 500 and not more than AED 20,000)
- AED 25 for the power of attorney registration
- AED 100 fee for advertisement
- AED 10 knowledge fees
- AED 10 innovation fees
WHEN SHOULD I SUBMIT A RENTAL COMPLAINT TO RERA FOR AN UNFAIR INCREASE IN RENT?
When the rent is increased unfairly, you can submit a rental dispute lawsuit at the RDC in Dubai where:
- The landlord has NOT served a 90-day notice of the increase
- The notice was served but not via a registered mailing service
- The increase was not in line with RERA’s rent index as defined in Decree No. 43 of 2013
An efficient and free-to-use RERA rent calculator has been made available to all residents by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) and may be used in the case of a rent increase.
Get a sense of how your home compares to other nearby properties like it by using the calculator. Rental disputes in Dubai can be filed with RERA if the rent rise exceeds the cap indicated by the rent calculator.
HOW DO I FOLLOW UP A RENT DISPUTE CENTRE CASE?
Through the official RDC Dubai “Track your case” the website, you may keep track of the progress of your rental dispute case in Dubai.
This finishes our look at Dubai’s rental issues. You now know how to register a dispute over a rental in Dubai with RERA.
Visit the Dubai Rental Dispute Centre website for any further information or clarification on the processes listed below. It could be wise to speak with a rental dispute lawyer in Dubai if you have a significant complaint.
Before you lease a Dubai apartment, townhouse, or villa, be aware that all tenancy contracts must be registered with Ejari.
