Tenancy and Rent Disputes
are a common occurrence in the UAE. As a seasoned real estate attorney, I am well-versed in the complexities of UAE tenancy law and can provide expert guidance on a variety of matters.
My areas of expertise include:
Lease agreements: I can assist with the drafting, negotiation, and termination of lease agreements, including residential and commercial leases.
Rental disputes: I can represent landlords and tenants in disputes over rent payments, rent increases, and security deposits.
Evictions: I can assist with the eviction process, including providing legal advice and representation in court.
Maintenance issues: I can assist with disputes over maintenance obligations, including repairs and property upkeep.
Tenant rights: I can advise tenants on their rights under UAE tenancy law, including the right to a habitable property and the right to privacy.
Here are some examples of tenancy and rent dispute cases I have handled:
1- Dispute Resolution – Litigation \ Rental Dispute, Dubai
Mar 2020 – Sep 2020
Client: The client was a restaurant situated in one of Dubai’s largest and most renowned malls.
The opposing party was a well-established company that owns and operates numerous malls across the country, including the one where the client’s restaurant was located.
Value (value of deal or disputed amount): The claim was to annulate the lease contract, which amounted to AED 1,900,000 per year.
Summary: During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the country decided to close all shopping malls, the restaurant faced significant financial losses. The legal framework governing tenant-landlord relationships in Dubai did not address situations where tenants sought to terminate contracts; it only covered such scenarios for landlords. This case highlights the distinction between the impossibility of enforcement and when the enforcement is excessively onerous. The restaurant incurred substantial losses during the period of the ban, which ultimately resulted in the impossibility of continuing the rental agreement, leading to its termination.