I rent a town house in Abu Dhabi and we recently re-signed our lease for another year. However, since re-signing, our back garden has become infested with rats from the construction site we border. It's a major health hazard with dozens, if not more, of the creatures invading our garden looking for places to nest. There are rat droppings everywhere.
We have approached the landlord, the community management and the owning company, and the most that has happened is that they've put out some poison. However, I believe it's too little, too late to stem the tide.
I have young children and I don't want them playing in rat droppings, but we have nine months left on our lease and we paid six months upfront. How can we break our lease and get our money back before my family gets sick? EB, Abu Dhabi
Firstly, let me tackle your point of breaking the lease, you can only do so easily if there is a break clause in the tenancy agreement, otherwise you are at the discretion of the landlord.
Clearly you have a serious problem and one I hope your landlord takes seriously. When renting a property, a tenant has the right to quiet enjoyment of their unit in return for paying the rental money. It is clear in your situation, that you are not presently experiencing quiet enjoyment.
If you are not satisfied with the remedial efforts taken by the landlord or the representatives, you can use this as part of your negotiations to try to break the contract. If there is no break clause mentioned, remember that under the present laws, a landlord does not have to agree to the contract being broken but I would expect yours to be reasonable given the situation.
Despite the problem, there will most likely still be a penalty for leaving mid-contract and this is normally a couple of months' rent as compensation to the landlord. Assuming you really do believe that the problem cannot be eradicated, breaking the contract appears to be your only option, but in doing so it seems unfair to have to pay to leave.
I know you have involved the parties to help remove the vermin but have you also spoken to the Abu Dhabi Municipality? I’m sure they would act swiftly to eradicate the problem especially knowing your children could be affected.
Mario Volpi is the sales and leasing manager at Engel & Volkers. He has worked in the property sector for more than 35 years in London and Dubai
The opinions expressed do not constitute legal advice and are provided for information only. Please send any questions to mario.volpi@engelvoelkers.com
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE cricketers abroad
Sid Jhurani is not the first cricketer from the UAE to go to the UK to try his luck.
Rameez Shahzad Played alongside Ben Stokes and Liam Plunkett in Durham while he was studying there. He also played club cricket as an overseas professional, but his time in the UK stunted his UAE career. The batsman went a decade without playing for the national team.
Yodhin Punja The seam bowler was named in the UAE’s extended World Cup squad in 2015 despite being just 15 at the time. He made his senior UAE debut aged 16, and subsequently took up a scholarship at Claremont High School in the south of England.
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Wales v Hungary
Cardiff City Stadium, kick-off 11.45pm
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Hobby: Playing piano and drawing patterns
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Food of choice: Sushi
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
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- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
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