The eviction of tenants for the landlord's personal use or property sale is tightly regulated in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The eviction of tenants for the landlord's personal use or property sale is tightly regulated in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The eviction of tenants for the landlord's personal use or property sale is tightly regulated in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The eviction of tenants for the landlord's personal use or property sale is tightly regulated in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National


UAE Property: 'My landlord is threatening to evict me if I don’t accept a large rent increase’


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September 19, 2025

Question: Recently, my landlord served me a 12-month eviction notice for “personal use” but hinted he could drop the request if I accept a large increase in rent. Is this legal and how do I protect myself? FK, Dubai

Answer: An eviction for personal use, or for sale, is tightly regulated. The law requires a 12-month notice be served through notary public or registered mail, stating the reason.

If it’s for personal use, the owner or a first-degree relative must genuinely need the property and furthermore would need to demonstrate that they do not own another suitable property they could use instead. If they regain possession on that ground, they cannot re-let the property for two years (residential) and three years for a commercial property or the tenant can seek compensation through the Rental Disputes Centre (RDC).

Using such a notice as leverage for a rent hike can be seen as an abuse of the process and I'm sure the RDC will see through it.

My advice would be to check whether the notice was formally sent. Was it notarised or sent by registered mail, with a clear reason? If not, it could be invalid.

I suggest you respond in writing that you’re willing to renew within the legal rent limits and that you reserve your right to challenge an invalid or bad faith eviction. Make sure you keep evidence such as any correspondence, be it in the form of emails or WhatsApps messages of any “pay more or vacate” pressure.

If required, file a case at the RDC, they can dismiss a sham eviction and set fair rent using the Smart Rental Index. Remember that any changes to rent at renewal require 90 days’ notice and any increase must follow the Dubai Land Department’s index.

Don’t negotiate without knowing your rights, check what the calculator states and take that printout into any discussion or RDC filing.

Watch: Here's what Dh1 million gets you in Dubai's property market today

Q: I live in the UK but own property in the UAE. My tenant’s last cheque bounced and they’ve gone quiet on me. I'm concerned about the future, so would like to know what’s the fastest, remote way to recover rent or regain possession? BM, London

A: Dubai has created streamlined tracks to settle disputes over non-payment of rent. If there’s overdue rent, or a bounced rent cheque, you can apply online for an RDC writ of payment. This is a summary order for the amount due, which can be enforced if unpaid.

You’ll need the tenancy contract, Ejari, title deed, payment schedule and bank memo showing the cheque bounce. If the tenant still doesn’t pay, you can move to execution; persistent non-payment can also justify eviction under the law after proper notice.

You can appoint someone locally by power of attorney to manage filings if you can’t do it yourself.

Step-by-step process if you are based abroad:

  1. Serve a written demand (keep delivery proof).
  2. File the RDC e-service for a writ of payment; attach the bounced cheque memo and Ejari.
  3. If the payment isn’t made, proceed to execution. In parallel, you may pursue eviction for non-payment through the RDC but only when you have served a written request of payment notice under the law, which is normally 30 days.
  4. Keep everything tidy: lease, Ejari, passport copy, title deed and proof of arrears. This normally speeds up orders and enforcement.

If the tenant is genuinely having financial difficulties and proposes a payment plan, insist it’s filed at the RDC or reflected in a registered addendum on the contract. I'm suggesting this because private side deals are hard to enforce if they default again.

The opinions expressed do not constitute legal advice and are provided for information only. Please send any questions to mario@allegiance.ae

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While you're here
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?

It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?

Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.

The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.

The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.

Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver. 

The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.

But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.

Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.

It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.

So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.

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Key findings of Jenkins report
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  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Updated: September 19, 2025, 6:14 PM