At the beginning of 2019, I rented an apartment in Abu Dhabi through a property management company that claimed to represent the owner. I paid the security deposit, agency commission and rent to this company.
Soon after I moved in, I received a letter from the owner’s mortgage company stating that a sub-lease is not permitted without their consent and that he’s in violation of material obligations for this unit (he’s not paying his mortgage).
When I called the number on the letter to inquire about the notice, I was told by the mortgage company that my tenancy contract is valid until the end of the year.
At the end of the contract, I reached out to the property management company to get a refund of my security deposit. They refused, claiming that they would need a letter from the bank to refund the amount. They stopped replying to any communication thereafter.
I reached out again to the bank representatives on what I should do and was told that they are not responsible for the unit until repossession is complete in court. They told me to stay in the unit and said they would reach out to me once they have the title deed, presumably within a couple of months.
I followed up with them regularly to get updates and there was very little communication. In December 2020, I received an email from the bank to say that it wanted to renew the agreement with me. They want me to pay last year’s rent (for the period they refused to be responsible for the property) and they’ve sent me a court eviction notice that is to be enforced in a few days.
They are aggressively pushing me to pay last year’s rent in full even though there was no agreement. They refuse to delay the eviction unless I agree to their terms. Can they push me into this corner even though I did nothing wrong?
I'm willing to settle an amount for last year's rent, but the bank is not willing to compromise and is threatening to come after me in court if I don't pay what they want. OA, Abu Dhabi
A rental contract automatically renews under the same terms and conditions as before, unless there is written consent of any changes by the parties
A rental contract automatically renews under the same terms and conditions as before, unless there is written consent of any changes by the parties. The fact that there is a dispute between the landlord and his bank will not alter your rental agreement (unless otherwise agreed). This is why you have been allowed to stay in the property all this time.
As in any contractual agreement, there has to be consent between the parties. So if they are now looking to alter the original rental agreement for the rental period you stayed, you have the right of refusal if it is different from the original terms.
If they are asking you to pay on the same terms and conditions as before, this is correct and you would indeed owe this as rent for the year you stayed.
It is obvious that you cannot live in any property free of rent. Going forward, I advise you to organise a face-to-face meeting with the bank to discuss the issue and iron out any differences.
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
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Schedule:
Sept 15: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka (Dubai)
Sept 16: Pakistan v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 17: Sri Lanka v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 18: India v Qualifier (Dubai)
Sept 19: India v Pakistan (Dubai)
Sept 20: Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Abu Dhabi) Super Four
Sept 21: Group A Winner v Group B Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 21: Group B Winner v Group A Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 23: Group A Winner v Group A Runner-up (Dubai)
Sept 23: Group B Winner v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 25: Group A Winner v Group B Winner (Dubai)
Sept 26: Group A Runner-up v Group B Runner-up (Abu Dhabi)
Sept 28: Final (Dubai)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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10. Gaël Monfils (FRA) 2,530 ( 3)
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Who is Tim-Berners Lee?
Sir Tim Berners-Lee was born in London in a household of mathematicians and computer scientists. Both his mother, Mary Lee, and father, Conway, were early computer scientists who worked on the Ferranti 1 - the world's first commercially-available, general purpose digital computer. Sir Tim studied Physics at the University of Oxford and held a series of roles developing code and building software before moving to Switzerland to work for Cern, the European Particle Physics laboratory. He developed the worldwide web code as a side project in 1989 as a global information-sharing system. After releasing the first web code in 1991, Cern made it open and free for all to use. Sir Tim now campaigns for initiatives to make sure the web remains open and accessible to all.
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
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