Question: I have been renting a villa in Dubai for the past three years, and my tenancy contract is due for renewal in a couple of months. My landlord has just informed me that he intends to increase the rent by 15 per cent, which seems excessive.
I checked the Real Estate Regulatory Agency’s rental index, and according to it, my current rent is already within the acceptable range for similar properties in my area.
I’ve raised this with my landlord, but he insists on the increase and says if I don't agree, he will not renew the contract. I’ve always paid rent on time and maintained the property well. Do I have any legal recourse in this situation? Can he evict me just because I’m not agreeing to the rent hike? CT, Dubai
Answer: Under Dubai's tenancy laws, specifically Law No. 26 of 2007 as amended by Law No. 33 of 2008, landlords cannot arbitrarily increase rent beyond what is permitted by the Rera. The new smart rental index is the official tool that governs permissible rent increases and any proposed rise must fall within the parameters it outlines.
If your current rent is already within the acceptable range compared to similar properties in your area, and the index confirms that a 15 per cent increase is not justified, then the landlord cannot legally impose such a rise.
Furthermore, the landlord must provide a minimum of 90 days’ written notice before the renewal date if he intends to amend any terms of the contract, which obviously includes the rent. If he has failed to do so within this time frame, the existing terms – including the current rent – will automatically carry forward into the new lease term.
Regarding eviction, the law is clear: a landlord can only evict a tenant for specific reasons, such as wanting to move in themselves or to sell the property. These reasons must be supported by proper documentation. Even then, they are required to provide at least 12 months’ notice through a notary public or registered mail.
In your case, if the landlord is threatening to evict you purely because you are not accepting an illegal rent increase, this would not stand in front of the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC). You have every right to challenge such a demand and I would encourage you to gather all communication in writing and, if need be, file a complaint with the RDSC to uphold your rights.
Q: I’m based in London and am considering buying a property in Dubai as an investment. While I’m familiar with the sale prices, I want to make sure there are no hidden costs or taxes that could catch me off guard.
What additional costs should I expect when purchasing a property in the UAE, especially in terms of government fees, taxes and continuing expenses? GC, London
A: The UAE, and particularly Dubai, remains one of the more attractive property markets globally due to its relatively low transaction costs and absence of annual property taxes. However, there are still several upfront and continuing costs you should be aware of:
Upfront costs
- Dubai Land Department (DLD) fees: This is the most significant government-related cost. The DLD charges a 4 per cent transfer fee on the property’s purchase price, plus an administration fee (typically Dh580 for apartments/villas).
- Agency commission: If you use an estate agent, expect to pay around 2 per cent of the purchase price as a commission.
- Trustee office fees: These are the service centres that process the legal transfer. The cost is around Dh4,000 for properties above Dh500,000 (and Dh2,000 for those below that threshold).
- Mortgage registration fee: If you're borrowing to buy, the DLD charges 0.25 per cent of the loan amount, plus Dh290 in admin fees.
- Valuation fee (for mortgages): Lenders typically charge around Dh2,500 to Dh3,500 for property valuation, paid by the buyer.
- Developer’s NOC fee: For secondary market purchases, the developer must issue a no objection certificate (NOC) to transfer ownership. This usually costs between Dh500 and Dh5,000, depending on the developer.
Continuing costs
- Service charges: These are annual fees paid by property owners to maintain the building or community (covering cleaning, security, landscaping, etc.). Charges vary widely by project and are calculated per square foot.
- Maintenance/repairs: These are not regulated and depend on the age and condition of the property. It’s wise to budget for unexpected repairs.
One of the major benefits in the UAE is that there is no annual property tax on owned real estate or any tax on selling the property either, making it an appealing investment environment. That said, if you let the property, you may need to consider income from rent in your home country’s tax filings, depending on your residency status and tax obligations abroad.
In conclusion, while there are no hidden taxes, the combined cost of these fees can total between 7 per cent to 8 per cent of the property price, so it's important to budget accordingly.
The opinions expressed do not constitute legal advice and are provided for information only. Please send any questions to mario@novviproperties.com
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
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Jewel of the Expo 2020
252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome
13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas
550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome
724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses
Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa
Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site
The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants
Al Wasl means connection in Arabic
World’s largest 360-degree projection surface
Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica
Best Agent: Jorge Mendes
Best Club : Liverpool
Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP
Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart
Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)
Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)
Best Women's Player: Lucy Bronze
Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi
Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)
Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company
The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.
He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.
“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.
“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.
HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon.
With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.
Karwaan
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala
Director: Akarsh Khurana
Starring: Irrfan Khan, Dulquer Salmaan, Mithila Palkar
Rating: 4/5
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
FULL%20RESULTS
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Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Who has lived at The Bishops Avenue?
- George Sainsbury of the supermarket dynasty, sugar magnate William Park Lyle and actress Dame Gracie Fields were residents in the 1930s when the street was only known as ‘Millionaires’ Row’.
- Then came the international super rich, including the last king of Greece, Constantine II, the Sultan of Brunei and Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal who was at one point ranked the third richest person in the world.
- Turkish tycoon Halis Torprak sold his mansion for £50m in 2008 after spending just two days there. The House of Saud sold 10 properties on the road in 2013 for almost £80m.
- Other residents have included Iraqi businessman Nemir Kirdar, singer Ariana Grande, holiday camp impresario Sir Billy Butlin, businessman Asil Nadir, Paul McCartney’s former wife Heather Mills.
Hunting park to luxury living
- Land was originally the Bishop of London's hunting park, hence the name
- The road was laid out in the mid 19th Century, meandering through woodland and farmland
- Its earliest houses at the turn of the 20th Century were substantial detached properties with extensive grounds
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
The%20specs
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INFO
What: DP World Tour Championship
When: November 21-24
Where: Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae.
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Yuval Noah Harari, Jonathan Cape
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Superpower%20
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CONFIRMED%20LINE-UP
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What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg
Rating: 4/5
