How to File a Rent Dispute Case in Dubai

Conflicts between tenants and landlords are very common. No matter how smooth the relationship is, there will be times when both parties can’t agree on certain matters. Whether it’s making certain changes on the property or updating the terms on the contract, it may lead to one party filing tenancy complaints against the other if they can’t find a compromise to settle the issue at hand.

When should you file a case?

Filing a rent dispute case may cost time and money for the parties involved. Hence, it should only be used as a last resort. Once all means of communication or negotiation have been exhausted, you may lodge an official complaint with the Rent Disputes Settlement Centre located at Dubai Land Department’s head office in Deira.

To file a case, you will need to submit the documents listed below. It is also crucial that you make sure that you have the original copies of these documents.

• A copy of the tenant’s passport

• A copy of the landlord’s passport

• Emirates ID

• Ejari certificate

• Original blue tenancy contract

• Most recent DEWA bills

• Rental deposit slip

• Copies of cheques for rental payment

• Other types of documents to support your case

• If the dispute involves commercial property, you will need to present trade licenses and other documents to prove that the business is legitimate and has all the required documents.

What happens after the complaint has been filed?

Established to smoothly resolve rent disputes, the committee is responsible for looking into all cases of rental disputes in Dubai. However, their duty does not involve cases involving rental disputes for properties located in the free zones, as well as financial disputes such as financial lease contracts. According to recently available data, the most common complaint received by the committee is complaints due to unfair rental increases.

The Arbitration Department is the first department of the four departments in the legal process for handling and resolving property disputes in Dubai. Once a complaint has been filed, the department will work on resolving the dispute in 15 days. If the parties fail to find a compromise or resolve the issue, a lawsuit will be filed, and a ruling is issued within 30 days. The ruling will be followed unless one of the parties makes an appeal.

Whether you need legal advice on how to resolve the rental dispute in the simplest way or need someone to represent you to resolve rental disputes, Motei & Associates can provide you with the legal services you require.