Question: I’ve just renewed my lease in Dubai after living in the same apartment for four years. Two weeks later, my landlord called saying he wants to raise the rent because “the market’s up” and he could get more from someone else.
I'm a single mum and this increase would really stretch me. Can he do this now that we’ve already renewed the contract? CT, Dubai
Answer: Firstly, I understand how unsettling it is to receive such news, especially when you’ve built a stable life in your home and budgeted for the year ahead. Fortunately, Dubai’s tenancy laws are very clear in protecting tenants from sudden or unfair rent increases. The first thing to say is that rent increases require proper notice.
Under Law No. 33 of 2008, a landlord must give at least 90 days’ written notice (email or other written notification is fine) if they wish to change any terms of the tenancy contract, including the rent.
As your contract has already just been renewed and you weren’t given that notice 90 days before renewal, the landlord cannot legally raise the rent this year, regardless of whether the market has shifted or the Smart Rental Index allows for an increase.
Even if a proper notice had been given, rent increases are governed by the Real Estate Regulatory Authority’s Smart Rental Index, which compares your rent against the average market rate for similar properties in the area.
If your rent is within 10 per cent of the Rera average, no increase is allowed. If the rent is between 11 per cent and 20 per cent below the market average, a 5 per cent increase is permissible, and so on. Up to a maximum of a 20 per cent rent increase is allowed.
You can check your exact situation using the smart index on the Dubai Land Department (DLD) website.
I suggest you do the following: politely inform your landlord of the law and provide a printed copy of your renewed contract. If they persist, you can file a case at the Rental Dispute Settlement Centre (RDSC). It is efficient and will explain to you or your landlord what the law states.
Rest assured, the law is on your side and any rent change must follow procedure and the timetable set out by the authorities. Focus on your family and home, knowing that stability is protected.
Q: We just got a 12-month eviction notice from our landlord. We’ve lived in our villa in The Springs for seven years and it’s where our kids grew up. He says he’s selling, but the market is booming right now and I worry he just wants to cash in.
What rights do we have and how can we be sure this eviction is legitimate? PQ, Dubai
A: You’re not alone in this concern. Many long-term tenants in communities including The Springs, in Dubai, or many of the Emirates Living areas have received notices such as yours, especially as villa prices in those areas have seen more than 30 per cent growth in some segments since early 2023.
Your landlord is allowed to serve a 12-month eviction notice only through registered mail or notary public. Verbal notices, WhatsApp messages and emails are not legally valid.
The eviction reason must be genuinely served. Selling the property is indeed a legal reason for eviction under Article 25(2) of Law No. 33 of 2008. However, this law is designed to prevent abuse, especially in a rising market.
If the landlord re-rents the property to someone else shortly after your eviction or any time up to two years afterwards, you will have grounds to file a bad faith eviction case. If successful, you may be entitled to compensation.
The actual amount of compensation is discretionary and only the judge can decide this, but it has been shown to be equal to a full year’s rent in some cases.
Watch: Dubai property investors are getting more selective, experts say
You should ask your landlord to provide a copy of the registered notice and confirmation that the sale is genuine.
If you find the property listed for rent after you leave, collect screenshots and evidence. Proceed to file a complaint with the RDSC, ideally with a legal consultant although this isn’t necessary as the committee is very helpful.
There is emotional consideration, too, as seven years is a long time and your connection to your home is more than financial. While the law can’t prevent an owner from selling, it insists on transparency and fairness. If the property is sold to another investor, you might be able to continue your tenancy under the new owner.
So yes, change might be coming, but it must happen legally and with adequate notice. Stay informed, and don’t hesitate to stand your ground if you feel the system is being misused.
The opinions expressed do not constitute legal advice and are provided for information only. Please send any questions to mariovolpi64@gmail.com
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Manchester United v Liverpool
Premier League, kick off 7.30pm (UAE)
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
How to tell if your child is being bullied at school
Sudden change in behaviour or displays higher levels of stress or anxiety
Shows signs of depression or isolation
Ability to sleep well diminishes
Academic performance begins to deteriorate
Changes in eating habits
Struggles to concentrate
Refuses to go to school
Behaviour changes and is aggressive towards siblings
Begins to use language they do not normally use
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
More coverage from the Future Forum
the pledge
I pledge to uphold the duty of tolerance
I pledge to take a first stand against hate and injustice
I pledge to respect and accept people whose abilities, beliefs and culture are different from my own
I pledge to wish for others what I wish for myself
I pledge to live in harmony with my community
I pledge to always be open to dialogue and forgiveness
I pledge to do my part to create peace for all
I pledge to exercise benevolence and choose kindness in all my dealings with my community
I pledge to always stand up for these values: Zayed's values for tolerance and human fraternity
Earth under attack: Cosmic impacts throughout history
- 4.5 billion years ago: Mars-sized object smashes into the newly-formed Earth, creating debris that coalesces to form the Moon
- 66 million years ago: 10km-wide asteroid crashes into the Gulf of Mexico, wiping out over 70 per cent of living species – including the dinosaurs.
- 50,000 years ago: 50m-wide iron meteor crashes in Arizona with the violence of 10 megatonne hydrogen bomb, creating the famous 1.2km-wide Barringer Crater
- 1490: Meteor storm over Shansi Province, north-east China when large stones “fell like rain”, reportedly leading to thousands of deaths.
- 1908: 100-metre meteor from the Taurid Complex explodes near the Tunguska river in Siberia with the force of 1,000 Hiroshima-type bombs, devastating 2,000 square kilometres of forest.
- 1998: Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 breaks apart and crashes into Jupiter in series of impacts that would have annihilated life on Earth.
-2013: 10,000-tonne meteor burns up over the southern Urals region of Russia, releasing a pressure blast and flash that left over 1600 people injured.
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
